St Albans City railway station has been named the worst commuter station near London.

A study conducted by On Time Trains analysed 30 train stations within an hour of the capital.

Performance, speed, frequency and value were all taken into account, with Woking beating Chelmsford to top spot.

St Albans City was ranked last in the list with performance and value the two worst factors.

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The city's Member of Parliament, Daisy Cooper, has since asked the Secretary of State for Transport - Mark Harper MP - about the issue.

Herts Advertiser: St Albans City is ranked last on On Time Train's list.St Albans City is ranked last on On Time Train's list.

Daisy Cooper MP told the House of Commons: "The Secretary of State seems to be celebrating a four per cent cancellation rate on Avanti.

"May I invite him to look at the cancellation rate on Thameslink trains from St Albans City station, which is eight per cent?

"In fact, only 47 per cent of our trains run on time, and our tickets are almost a third more expensive per mile than the average London commuter route, which means that St Albans is now rated the worst commuter station into London.

                                                                                    

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"Will the Secretary of State look at those cancellation rates and tell me when the prices affecting my constituency will go down and when reliability will go up?”

Mark Harper MP replied: "We look at the performance of the rail network overall but, as the chairman of the Transport Committee said, we need more transparent information.

Herts Advertiser: Daisy Cooper MP raised the issue in the House of Commons.Daisy Cooper MP raised the issue in the House of Commons. (Image: St Albans Liberal Democrats)

"The most important thing is that lots of the issues to do with the performance of train operating companies are partly to do with infrastructure.

"Passengers do not care what causes the problems, which is why GBR, with its new regional structure, will ensure that we deliver a more joined-up system and better overall performance, which is what is ultimately important for the honourable Lady’s constituents.”

Speaking of the results of On Time Trains' study, Daisy Cooper MP focussed on the effect that an infrequent train service has on the lives of residents.

Herts Advertiser: Daisy Cooper MP spoke of the disruption and stress caused by delays.Daisy Cooper MP spoke of the disruption and stress caused by delays. (Image: UK Parliament)

She added: “Delays and cancellations cause so much disruption and stress to people’s lives and this survey highlights just how bad the situation is here in St Albans.

“Whether it’s children trying to get to school or college, hospitality or health workers doing shifts, patients getting to appointments or parents rushing back from work to do the school pick up, people are just trying to get on with their lives, and are fed up of the late trains and extortionate ticket prices.

“As a daily commuter myself, this survey reflects both my own experience and the complaints I receive from residents.

“I’ll keep pressing the government to deliver.”