Greater Anglia trains have started to return to normal after over-running engineering work caused major problems for commuters this morning.
The problem was at Seven Kings in London where the unfinished work meant two of the four lines available were blocked.
Delays to both metro and main line services peaked at 60 minutes earlier while the problem was resolved.
The incident also meant some trains couldn’t get out of Greater Anglia’s Ilford depot.
Rail commuters in Ipswich have spoken of their anger following the major disruption.
A spokesman for Greater Anglia said: “Abellio Greater Anglia mainline and metro services were affected by delays and cancellations this morning due to Network Rail’s over running engineering works at Seven Kings near Ilford.
“The normal four track route was reduced to two until 09.30 which resulted in delays, congestion and subsequent cancellations.
We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience to their journeys this morning.”
Network Rail area director Steve Cassidy said: “We encountered unforeseen problems while renewing the track at Seven Kings and apologise to anyone who has been delayed this morning as a result.”
The latest delays come shortly after rail users learnt they would face a 2.5% rise in train tickets next year.
Travellers on the Great Eastern Main Line have faced delays caused by over-running engineering work on at least five occasions this year:
March 5, 2014: Over-running engineering work at Diss delayed InterCity services to the capital.
May 19, 2014: Engineering works over-running at Colchester delay passengers again – on the first weekend of a seven-week programme of work at the Essex station.
August 11, 2014: Engineering work over-runs at Ipswich station. The work was finished almost two hours late, leading to cancellations and delays. Normal service was not resumed until late morning.
October 24, 2014: Services between Norwich and London Liverpool Street were affected in both directions after work, overseen by Network Rail, over-ran between Diss and Stowmarket.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here