Commuters have vented their anger tonight after being plunged into travel chaos with hours of train delays and more than a dozen cancellations following signalling problems and a death on the line.

A person died at Witham station in Essex after being hit by a train – and signalling problems at London Liverpool Street led to severe delays to passengers travelling home to the region during rush hour.

Frustrated commuter Stuart Jackson said: 'The service is disgraceful.

'The disruption times they are giving are wrong. I have been delayed at least 30 minutes every day this week.'

Train operator Greater Anglia reported the death at Witham at 5.45pm. The line was closed by police for about 45 minutes before reopening at 6.30pm.

A Greater Anglia spokesman also confirmed London Liverpool Street experienced signalling problems from 5pm, causing a limited service through Shenfield.

The spokesman added Network Rail was investigating the problem, which had caused 'hours of delays' at three of the main Liverpool Street platforms servicing the region.

He said: 'There have been severe delays lasting more than an hour in some cases but we are now catching up with our services.

'It is no consolation for people travelling home and we apologise for this.'

Normal service had still not resumed at 9.30pm.

Imogen Dempsey, who commutes three days a week from London to Marks Tey, said the service had deteriorated since the London Olympics.

'They were given a target during the Olympics but since then the service has gone through the floor. There are delays after delays after delays.

'It puts you under pressure from your employers, and travelling home it's even worse – people have children to look after and have appointments at hospitals.

'It's just a huge waste of everyone's time and money.'

Ken Suttling said on Twitter: 'I can't begin to tell you how angry I am over the way the travelling public has been treated by you these last few weeks. Your appalling service has finally made me decide to retire. You've finally beaten me down. Congratulations.'

To find out more, call TrainTracker on 0871 200 49 50 or visit http://www.journeycheck.com/greateranglia

Has your journey to or from Norwich been affected tonight? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk