Braintree's MP has called for a reduction in fares for passengers caught up in the chaos caused by a track defect at London Liverpool Street.

James Cleverly has written to Jamie Burles, managing director of Greater Anglia and Matt Brennan of Network Rail, asking for rebates to be given to customers.

In the letter, Mr Cleverly said his constituents had been forced to deal with “longer journeys, severe overcrowding in carriages and potentially dangerous overcrowding on platforms”.

“Many commuters have not even been able to board the trains which they have been waiting for,” he said.

“Whilst I am aware that you are reminding customers that they are entitled to compensation through the Delay and Repay scheme if their journey has been delayed by more than 30 minutes, this does not allow compensation when a service has run but the passenger was unable to board due to overcrowding or a passenger has needed to make their journey in several parts.”

Mr Cleverly said the refunds should be given at the point of purchase, or via a rebate scheme for season ticket holders.

He added: “My constituents have faced considerable disruption for a week and there are no firm guarantees that this will not occur again before the part has been fully replaced. I am led to believe this could be as late as October.”

A week of severe delays and cancellations began last Monday due to a crack in a bespoke bit of track at London Liverpool Street station.

A Greater Anglia spokesperson has apologised for the delays. He said: “We would encourage anyone who has been affected by the delays to contact us and we will deal with their claim sympathetically.”

Visit www.greateranglia.co.uk/delayrepay.