Campaigners fighting for improved services on an overcrowded rail route have accused Transport for London of treating them like children.

The Barking – Gospel Oak Rail User Group (BGORUG) claims TfL has skirted around questions regarding the introduction of new high-tech electric trains which have been delayed by months.

Transport for London has apologised to commuters on the London Overground route which sees carriages jam packed during week-day rush hours.

A spokesman for BGORUG said: “TfL should treat its customers as intelligent adults and just announce exactly what is going on - no spin, no accusations, just facts.

“It won’t make everyone happy but at least those who pay for the service will feel part of the family.”

In recent months, the line which serves stations in Walthamstow, Leyton and Leytonstone has been hit by a high volume of delayed and cancelled services, sometimes up to 39 a day.

In June five diesel trains were withdrawn from the route when their lease expired.

Last month BGORUG welcomed Network Rail’s approval of the 54-strong fleet of the state-of-the-art trains, 10 months after originally expected.

The Class 710 trains boast air-conditioning, walk-through carriages and greater accessibility for wheelchair users.

They are being held at Willesden depot where they are undergoing test runs as each high-tech train will have to clock up 2,000 miles without a problem before it will be accepted by TfL’s operator, Arriva Rail London.

Rory O’Neill, TfL’s general manager for London Overground, said he anticipates the trains to be up and running in late December as safety tests are “well underway”.

He said: “We are sorry for the continuing delay to the introduction of the fleet of new trains on the Gospel Oak to Barking route.

“The delay is because the manufacturer, Bombardier Transportation, needs to do further software development to ensure the new high-tech trains deliver the reliable service customers have been patiently waiting for.

“The diesel trains which currently run on the line are becoming increasingly unreliable. We continue to work with Arriva Rail London and our maintenance contractor to look at ways to improve the reliability of these trains and run as many as we possibly can.

“To increase the likelihood of a reliable weekday service, trains will run less frequently at weekends until the new trains begin to be introduced.”

He added: “We share our customers’ frustration about this and are fully focused on ensuring the trains are delivered as quickly as possible.”

Campaigners say if the new trains are not put into action before February 2019, it will be “impossible” for TfL to run all the scheduled services on time and replacement buses will be needed.

BGORUG is advising passengers to seek alternative routes if possible and if they have to use the line, they are warned to expect delays, cancellations and severe overcrowding.