ALTHOUGH train fares are on the increase, parts of Basildon have been named as some of the most affordable areas for London commuters to live.

On average fares will rise by 3.1 per cent adding, in some cases, hundreds of pounds to annual travel costs.

Basildon, Pitsea and Laindon were all ranked in the top ten affordabile places for commuters.

But Basildon Labour deputy leader, David Burton-Sampson, admitted affordability is an “undefined term” and pointed towards ongoing issues with delayed and cancelled trains, adding Labour’s stance is clear on its hope for public ownership of rail lines.

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He said: “The issue we have is, once again train fares are up by a significant amount but the service for residents across the country are not to levels they are paying for.

“It is well known that c2c is one of the least expensive lines, but we are still talking about a significant amount.

“But sadly, if anything the lines have got worse in the last year. My view, as is the view of the Labour party, is that the hike is totally unjustified. We need a change, and we need a train line that is for the people and benefits the people.

“For some people trying to find work, they immediately have their options limited, because of the huge cost of getting to and from work. It is an issue that must be readdressed urgently, and that is what Labour want to do.

“Travel is a necessity these days, not a luxury, and that must be remembered.”

In Basildon, the average property price is £270,347, with £245 monthly train costs, and a commuting time of 86 minutes.

While in Pitsea, a home will cost £241,878, with an 84-minute commute and £257 per month on train costs.

Laindon was just below Basildon and Pitsea, with the average property costing £274,714, train tickets totalling £245 per month, and a commute of 68 minutes.

Tilbury, in Thurrock, was also recognised on the list, in third place ahead of Basildon.

To calculate monthly mortgage payments, online mortgage broker Trussle took the average property price in each area and used a calculator to find out what a first-time buyer with an 85 per cent loan-to-value two-year fixed 25-year mortgage at a rate of 2.14 per cent would pay.

It then used data from the Office for National Statistics to figure out how the duration of each commute would cost the average London worker.

Once house prices, monthly payments, rail costs and travel time were added together, the broker then created a league table of the most affordable towns.