A TRAIN company has apologised to commuters after signal failures led to massive delays last night.

There were two failures on the stretch of line between High Wycombe and Gerrards Cross, causing congestion on the Marylebone to Birmingham line.

The route is operated by Chiltern Railways.

Spokesman Emma Gascoigne said: “We had two consecutive signal failures last night between High Wycombe and Gerrards Cross.

“Delays and congestion occurred while trains were stopped at each affected area to take instructions from the signalman before proceeding.

“Where possible and to minimise disruption, we diverted some of our services via an alternative route. We are very sorry to all our passengers who were delayed in their journey and the inconvenience this caused."

Ian MacFarlaine was one of many passengers to be caught up in last night's chaos.

The 36-year-old from Wooburn Green got on the 6.12pm train from Marylebone to High Wycombe – but his usual 39minute journey was cut short at Gerrards Cross after about an hour sitting on the train.

He said: “We were told there were delays on the line and kept stopping and then starting.

“We reached Gerrards Cross when the driver announced that the delays were worse than he thought and said the service would be terminated here.

“So we all got off the train and waited for another announcement and it never came, there must have been about 200 people abandoned at Gerrards Cross station.

“There were all sorts of people on the train, including a few children who were no older than five or six years old – but everyone was ok and took it in their stride.”