TRAIN users have today been assured they will get compensation following the long delays on the line last month.

TRAIN users have today been assured they will get compensation following the long delays on the line last month.

National Express East Anglia has secured a special compensation package from Network Rail for customers who were affected by the overhead line problems and freight train derailment that occurred between June 9 and 13.

Train users with season tickets from mainline stations between Ingatestone and Norwich will now receive compensation amounting to one week's free travel in recognition of the difficult journeys endured during that week.

National Express East Anglia is due to write to season ticket holders later this month to advise them how to claim the additional compensation. Customers without season tickets should apply for compensation through the 'delay repay' scheme, which equivalent to the number of delayed journeys incurred.

Andrew Chivers, National Express East Anglia managing director, said: “We are pleased to have agreed additional compensation for our customers following the incidents which affected mainline services between June 9 and 13. We're continuing to work closely with Network Rail in reviewing these incidents and prioritising the key areas for improvement.

“We would like to apologise to our customers who experienced the disruptions, and will continue with our efforts to further increase service standards and avoid the type of incidents which have marred the otherwise improving trends in performance.”

Patrick Hallgate, Network Rail route director, said: “Securing this compensation package for National Express' customers was important and recognises the service they have recently received. I know people would prefer a better service rather than compensation and that is why we are investing hundreds of millions of pounds in improving our infrastructure and making it more reliable.”