RAIL bosses have apologised after overrunning engineering works led to delays and cancellations for thousands of passengers.

Commuters were left stranded on Monday morning when weekend works near Hampton Court overran by several hours, leading to huge delays on the Weymouth to Waterloo line.

Although the lines reopened at 9.30am, passengers were affected for the whole day.

In a joint statement, Becky Lumlock, Network Rail's Managing Director, Wessex and Andy Mellors, Managing Director, South Western Railway, said: "We are very sorry for the serious disruption to your journeys due to overrunning engineering works in the Surbiton area.

"All lines were closed between Surbiton and Waterloo whilst we worked hard to complete the work so we could safely reopen the lines.

"Soon after 0930 the lines were open again, however many of you will have had delayed and crowded journeys for the rest of the day. We know it’s not the service you deserve, and we are working hard to resolve these issues. We are sorry."