A TRAIN company has apologised to commuters who described a station platform as being like an ice rink.

Passengers contacted their councillors on Tuesday morning saying Colchester Town Station platforms had not been gritted well enough.

One commuter said: “The platform was like an ice rink, no salt or grit has been put down and it is treacherous to walk on.

“I think this is really bad as it is very dangerous for staff and the public.”

Councillor Lee Scordis (Lab) said safety of passengers was paramount.

He said: “The safety of passengers, who are being able asked to pay more next year, and staff is being put at severe risk for the sake of profit.

“We all know we need to encourage greater use of public transport but negligence such as this will only put people off.”

Greater Anglia insisted the platforms were gritted later that morning.

A spokesman said: “We apologise to passengers who found the conditions slippery at Colchester Town station [on Tuesday].

“The platform was gritted, however, we still advise passengers to take extra care during bad weather.”