Ilford train station had to be closed in this morning’s rush hour when platforms became too overcrowded.

Passengers had to wait on the platforms because of delays on Greater Anglia services into Liverpool Street.

Staff stopped people entering the station at around 8.15am, leaving frustrated commuters to find alternative transport to work.

Trains were cancelled, delayed, terminated early and some stations were cut out after a signal failure at Liverpool Street at around 7am.

A Greater Anglia spokesman said: “As is standard practice in the circumstances, Ilford station was briefly closed this morning to allow passengers to disperse, following congestion caused by train service delays.”