COMMUTERS suffered delays of several hours after overhead cables went down on the c2c rail line.

Passengers heading home from London Fenchurch Street last night faced delays of more than two hours.

The Echo was told of reports that commuters had to be evacuated and herded on to Tube trains as an overhead line problem between West Ham and Barking.

However, it is now clear that commuters had to make make our way to the bus stop, where they travelled to Stratford to pick up the One line to Southend Victoria station.

Passengers were told their tickets would be valid on the One line from Liverpool Street and the London Underground, but even this was hindered by delays on the Tube.

A trespasser on the line at East Ham forced the suspension of the Hammersmith and City and District Line trains, cutting off the route to Barking and Upminster. There were also delays on the Circle Line.

In a statement on its website, c2c said: "Train services on all routes are being disrupted due to overhead wire problems between West Ham and Barking. Short notice delays, alterations and cancellations can be expected."

Commuter Graham Hutson, 35, of Leighville Grove, Leigh, said the atmosphere on the trains turned ugly due to a lack of communication from the company.

He said: "They told us there was an obstruction on the line and that was all. Apparently people on the train behind us got so tired of waiting they had enough and started walking down the track.

"The main point is the total lack of communication. The atmosphere on the train was starting to get a bit militant. People were talking about out how to get the doors open.

"Eventually they evacuated the train and put us on the Tubes."

By 7pm, trains had stopped running from Fenchurch Street and were starting from Barking. Services running from Shoebury to London Fenchurch Street were also affected by minor delays.

Keith McCann, of Grays, said: "The statement made by c2c on their website on Monday evening was totally misleading and does not reflect what really happened!

"They should be ashamed at the way in which they abandoned passengers last night on the 1726 out of Fenchurch St.

"The train initially ground to a halt adjacent to the underground platform at Upton Park, and the driver eventually announced that he was being held on a red signal.

"This announcement was repeated again and again, followed then by telling people that he had to call the signal man back in "5 minutes", that the fire brigade was en route to detrain passengers and then that he was waiting for a London Underground supervisor. Both never arrived!

"Just after 8pm, some two-and-a-half hours after leaving Fenchurch Street, a passenger used the emergency lever to open the doors and allow passengers access to the underground platform and exit the station.

"At no time were any announcements made, or staff available, to advise passengers of the contingency plans made by c2c to get people home!"