CLACTON MP Douglas Carswell has challenged the Government over “persistent problems” in Tendring’s rail links to Colchester and London.

Mr Carswell says the Tendring peninsula will get left behind if the Government does not “get a grip” with Network Rail.

He also hit out at transport minister Patrick McLoughlin, following his visit to the town last week.

Mr Carswell said: “Every time there’s an election, transport ministers come to Clacton – more often than not by car – and tell us what they’re going to do to make things better.

“As someone who commutes from Clacton to London several times each week, I know how appalling the service can be.

“What we need to see is action to sort out the line and to get to grips with Network Rail.”

Mr Carswell has tabled a parliamentary question to Mr McLoughlin asking if he will make representations to Network Rail and Abellio Greater Anglia over introducing more peak-time services between London Liverpool Street and Tendring.

Transport in Tendring is set to become a political battleground in the run-up to May’s General Election.

Mr Carswell said he had asked the Government to take steps to improve Clacton railway station and triggered a debate in Westminster Hall about local train services and Network Rail.

Mr Carswell claimed the Government could boost Tendring’s economy by creating a reliable rail line for a fraction of the billions of pounds it intends to spend on the HS2 high-speed rail link.