Rail users protest with sardines

Passengers said they were packed into trains like sardines

Passengers fed up with overcrowded carriages on East Midlands Trains' Liverpool to Norwich line are sending tins of sardines to bosses in protest.

Campaigners said they were packed "like sardines" into short trains, serving Nottingham, Manchester and Peterborough, which need to be bigger.

Instead of the longer four carriages, trains often arrive with just two, causing overcrowding at peak times.

East Midlands Trains said it was working to improve the service.

'Poor communication'

In a statement, a spokesperson for East Midlands Trains, said: "We are aware that improvements need to be made on the route and are taking steps to increase seating and increase carriages from two to four at the busiest times."

A spokesperson from campaign group TrainSardine.org said: "This campaign is run by passengers who are sick of the poor service offered and the excuses we have been given over the past 12 months to explain the shortage of carriages and overcrowding.

"We are frustrated with the inability of anyone to sort the problem, poor communication and a lack of respect."

East Midlands Trains took over the Liverpool to Norwich line when it won the contract from Central Trains in November 2007.