Hitchin and Harpenden MP Bim Afolami will next week introduce a Bill in the Commons to compensate passengers affected by the chaos engulfing the Govia Thameslink Railway network.

Thameslink and Great Northern passengers have complained of delays, cancellations and overcrowding on services since a new timetable was introduced by GTR in May.

Mr Afolami said: “This Bill aims to bring into law huge improvements to compensation packages for rail users across the UK who have been hugely let down by operators. It will make compensation more generous, but most importantly, it will be paid automatically.

“This will act as a penalty for operators who do not meet the set standards, as many have failed to do in recent months.

“I have cross-party support for this, and look forward to presenting it to the House on Wednesday.”