CUSTOMERS are calling for more trains to run between south Essex and London and passenger numbers edge closer to pre-pandemic levels.

Rail firm c2c has pledged to add two extra services from next month to help with the growing rush of commuters using the line.

One customer told the Echo they were struggling to get on crowded trains which had plenty of space just a few months ago.

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“Recently the trains have been much, much busier,” Sarah Champion, 34, of Basildon said.

“It feels like I can't get a seat on any morning train, and sometimes I can’t even get on to stand on the 7.38am or 7.48am trains anymore.

“Just a few months ago these trains had plenty of room for passengers," she added. 

The c2c line has struggled with signalling failures, cancellations and disruptions over the last two months.

Most recently, on Monday morning, all signalling was lost between Barking and West Ham after damage was caused to cables that feed the overhead lines in an “attempted cable theft” at West Ham, c2c managing director Rob Mullen has revealed.

The latest Office for Rail and Road figures show the rail industry is recovering following the pandemic.

A total of 332 million rail passenger journeys were made across Britain between April 1 and June 30 – 75.8 per cent of journeys in the same quarter three years ago.

In response to growing demand, c2c is making alterations to its timetable from December 11.

During the week the 7.18am train from Shoeburyness to Fenchurch Street will no longer call at Leigh, Benfleet, Pitsea, Laindon and Limehouse.

An additional train will run at 7.29am from Thorpe Bay to Fenchurch Street, calling at all stations except West Horndon and Barking.

And the firm will also run a new 6.30pm Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness train, calling at all stations except Barking, West Horndon and Pitsea.

On Saturdays, most of the firm’s Ockendon line services will be strengthened from four cars to eight cars.

Mr Mullen said: “Our new December timetable broadly maintains current service levels across the c2c route but having listened to our customers, we have added two new peak trains as well as giving those on the Ockendon line more service availability on Saturdays.

“We continue to monitor customer levels and we will strengthen our services wherever we are able.”