WICKFORD rail station is buckling under the pressure of thousands of extra passengers, according to concerned commuters.

Figures released by the Office of Rail and Road show 62,500 more journeys were made from the station, on the Southend Victoria to London Liverpool Street line, over the past 12 months.

In 2014/2015 more than 2.3million journeys were recorded.

David Harrison, Independent councillor for Wickford Park, believes the strain on the town's train services and pressure to build new homes will cause “commuting chaos.”

An eight-week public consultation on plans for 15,000 homes in Basildon over the next two decades began last month, proposing 3,300 more homes in Wickford.

Mr Harrison said: “The number of people coming to Wickford even in the immediate future will put pressure on a service that is struggling to cope.

“More than 500 homes at St Luke’s Park, Runwell, will bring more commuters. The situation is so bad that I am hearing of Wickford commuters driving to Upminster as they see it as a better option.”

Abellio, which operates the Greater Anglia line, and National Express, which runs the c2c line between Shoebury and London Fenchurch Street, will go head-to-head for a new nine-year contract the for the route.

First Group is also in the running.

After complaints of overcrowding, the Department for Transport has said more services will beacondition of the new agreement, which will start in October.

Mr Harrison added: “The issue of overcrowding continues right the way along that line, and the borough’s draft local plan doesn’t take into account what’s happening in the town.

“Whoever gets the franchise has to offer improved services.”

Consultant Sam Spooner, 26, of Homestead Road, Ramsden Bellhouse, drives to and from work at London’s Canary Wharf because he has become so frustrated with Wickford’s packed station.

He said: “I just got fed up with it, and to be honest it’s been far easier driving in.

“The hassle has been taken out of the commute, and there isn’t that much difference financially.

I don’t think there’s going to be any improvement whoever gets the franchise. There needs to be wholesale change, and a nationalised rail service.

“That’s the way forward.”