COMMUTERS from North Essex were delayed following a fatality on the train line into London.

It is thought a member of the public died after an incident involving the 10am Liverpool to Norwich service today.

Ellen Rossiter, spokeswoman for train operator National Express East Anglia, said they were first alerted of the problem at 10.14am when all four lines, in and out of the capital, were shut.

“By 11am two of the four re-opened. What we were advising people who wanted to go to Romford to do was to go into London and use alternative services such as C2C and then the bus.

“There were delays and alterations as a result of what happened at Romford but it was British Transport Police that were dealing with what happened there,” she added.

Passengers travelling into London from Colchester reported delays of around an hour.

Gavin Brown, spokesman for British Transport Police, said: “I can confirm that a person died after being struck by a train at Romford railway station.

“The incident was reported to police at 10.22am on Friday, 1 May, and is not being treated as suspicious.

“BTP officers attended, along with paramedics from the Local Ambulance Service.

“A file will be prepared for the coroner.”

He said the railway was handed back to Network Rail at 11.22am.

- National Express East Anglia starts its summer programme on Sunday May 17 which includes extra direct Saturday services between London Liverpool Street and Great Yarmouth and more Saturday services between Norwich and Great Yarmouth.

But there are few changes to other regular services across the region.

New timetable booklets are available at stations and further information can be obtained at: www.nationalexpresseastanglia.com or by calling National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50