COMMUTERS faced major delays of up to an hour yesterday morning because of signalling problems.

The problems, between Shenfield and Chelmsford, hit trains between the capital and Colchester, Braintree, Clacton, Ipswich and Norwich.

Some trains were also subject to short notice alterations or cancellations.

The problems began in the early hours of yesterday morning but signals were working normally from 9.17am, with delays until about 12pm.

Trains between Witham and Braintree were also delayed for up to 20 minutes because of separate signalling problems, which was fixed by 10.50am.

A Greater Anglia spokesperson said: "We worked with Network Rail to restore the normal service as quickly as possible and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

A Network Rail spokeswoman added: “There were signalling problems in Cressing between Witham and Braintree and Shenfield and Chelmsford and we are sorry for the disruption this caused.

“Our engineers worked as fast as possible to return services to normal.”

Simon Wilding, from Great Horkesley, was caught out travelling from Colchester to Chelmsford.

“I got on the 7.54am train, which was due in Chelmsford at 8.18am but arrived at 8.55am.

“It was stop/start all the way.

“There were good communications from the driver, thought, which helped.”