FALLEN leaves on railway tracks have been partly blamed for delays on a new train service to London.

Chiltern Railways is facing complaints from commuters about overcrowding and delays to timetables, just three weeks after it began offering services between Oxford Parkway Station and London Marylebone, via Bicester.

Chiltern blamed the problems on fewer people than expected using the new Bicester Village Station, as well as leaves that had fallen on the line.

Spokeswoman Nicola Clark said: “Services across Chiltern have been affected by leaves on the line.

“They fall from the trees and go onto the track and when trains run over it can mulch and squish them.

“That then packs onto the line and forms a coating which makes it incredibly slippy.

“Our drivers have to be very careful that they don’t turn wheels and overshoot stations.”

Commuters this week also told the Oxford Mail that the new rail link had resulted in a worse service for travellers from Bicester.

They said Chiltern Railways have split the trains between Bicester North and Bicester Village stations meaning there are fewer peak trains and the service has “taken a step back”.

Ellie Coleman said because of the changes she was now late for work and her journey home was 15 minutes longer.

The journalist said her commute had been “awful” since the new timetable took effect.

She said: “Basically, there are fewer peak time trains between Bicester North and Marylebone, the ones there are mostly take longer, and coupled with this there have also been loads of delays since the new timetable launched.”

Chiltern Railways said the number of services between Bicester and London had increased.

It added: “Between 6am to 9am, there were previously 12 Bicester-London trains. There are now 16.

“This is a significant increase in journey opportunities for the town.

“However, we understand that timetable changes can involve a change of routine for our customers and we apologise for this.”