The crash at Ladbroke Grove, near Paddington, killed 31 people

The Paddington Survivors Group has called a press conference for Tuesday after hearing their claims would be passed from the original company, St Paul International Insurance, to new insurers AIG.

It has been four years since a Thames train crashed into a London-bound Great Western express at Ladbroke Grove, west London, killing 31 and injuring 500 people.

Survivors believe now the crash is no longer in the news, insurers are trying to delay things further.

'Reneging' on promises

Pam Warren, from Reading, who was badly burnt in the crash, said she had been "totally devastated" to hear claims had been passed on to new insurers and solicitors.

She said: "From the time of the train crash, we were assured time and time again that our claims would be dealt with sympathetically and quickly.

"I feel that the railway industry is reneging on the promises made to victims following the accident.

Our instructions are to deal with the cases expeditiously and sympathetically Victor Rae-Reeves, solicitor for insurers

"My life has been destroyed by their incompetence and this trauma is being made worse by their tactics of delay."

The insurance claims have changed hands because St Paul's International Insurance reached the limit of its indemnity fund.

Thames Trains has denied it was a "sudden announcement" and rejected suggestions the train companies were delaying payments deliberately.

Solicitor Victor Rae-Reeves, who is representing the new insurance company, said they would not be starting from scratch as they have been given full files from their predecessors.