An MP has accused Rail Franchise Director John O'Brien of letting down commuters by delaying the replacement of antiquated rolling stock on the LTS Line.

Passengers will have to put up with old-fashioned slam-door carriages for an extra three years because of a deal Mr O'Brien negotiated with Prism, which runs LTS.

As part of its original franchise agreement Prism was committed to transferring 100 sliding-door carriages to LTS from its West Anglian and Great Northern Line (WAGN).

However, because of passenger growth WAGN has been able to release only 68 of the promised carriages.

Now Prism has persuaded Mr O'Brien to extend the deadline for the complete replacement of LTS rolling stock to 2002.

Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay has accused the franchise watchdog of being too timid and says he should have insisted that Prism honoured its commitments.

He said: "The fact Prism Rail's other franchise cannot now deliver is a matter for Prism to resolve. They freely entered into the contractual agreement.

"Once again my constituents are being treated as if they are poor relations. These slam-door trains are very old and inappropriate. LTS passengers have put up with them for long enough.

"They are paying fares which justify more modern rolling stock now."

Mr Mackinlay has passed on his criticisms of the franchise director to deputy prime minister, John Prescott.

Mr O'Brien claims, however, passengers will benefit from his new deal with Prism.

In return for extending the stock replacement deadline Prism had put up a package of improvements for passengers, including improved punctuality targets, better information systems, extended staffing hours, extra provision for the disabled, increased security at stations and cycle storage facilities at a further six stations.

He said: "As part of that renegotiation Prism has agreed to provide these additional benefits to passengers.

"I am encouraged by the positive approach Prism has taken and the substantial benefits it has offered.

"The slam-door rolling stock will still be replaced and passengers can look forward to wide-ranging improvements.''

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