The last thing Sussex commuters need is a mass walk-out from Network Rail staff.

Fed-up passengers are already getting over another bout of fare increases.

And they’re already dealing with disrupted services day in, day out.

Amid the chaos of recent years they’ve been dealt a torrent of signalling problems, derailed trains and a morning commuter train that was late every day in a calendar year.

Now they face another kick in the teeth because Network Rail cannot reach an agreement with unions over pay and a strike looms.

Not to mention Southern Rail and Gatwick Express drivers could announce their own strike action on Friday.

It is not good enough for the commuters, who pay thousands for their annual ticket.

The abundance of problems with Britain’s railways has been simmering for years. Now it’s reaching boiling point.

With the Conservative majority government now in office, we hope Cameron and co can muster up the courage and conviction to draw up a plan to deal with Britain’s rotten railways.

Is it right passengers are stitched up year on year while train operators and franchise owners are seemingly free to do as they please?

David Cameron has already highlighted in parliament this newspaper’s calls for rail compensation reform.

Passengers shouldn’t have to be delayed by more than 30 minutes before they’re entitled to a partial refund.

Especially when the train operators themselves rake in millions each year from Network Rail when they are delayed by as little as a minute because of infrastructure problems.

Commuters deserve a better service and fitting compensation.