THE top ten most overcrowded trains in England and Wales will be an average of more than 225 per cent in excess of capacity by 2022, according to the Labour Party.

The Thameslink 6.57am from Brighton to Bedford was named in the top ten last week.

Analysis of recent Department for Transport figures shows the typical load factor of the ten most crammed services increased from 159 per cent to 190 per cent over the past six years.

If this trend continues to when the current parliament is scheduled to end in 2022, the ten most overcrowded trains will be 227 per cent in excess of capacity, Labour said.

The party is calling for train companies to be brought back into public ownership.

Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald said: “Overcrowding on our railways is fast becoming a national disgrace thanks to the Tories.

“It will come as little surprise to long-suffering commuters to hear that overcrowding on trains has reached record levels, but the bad news is that it’s set to get even worse.

“At the current rate, some of the most vital commuter routes in the country will be appallingly cramped by the end of this parliament.” Mr McDonald said passengers should not have to suffer being “crammed into dangerously full carriages as part of their daily commute” and claimed they are “paying more for less under the Tories”.

Southern’s 7.16am from East Grinstead to London Bridge is the most overcrowded train.