South Western Railway has come under fire for routinely leaving passengers using St Margarets Station stranded.

Travellers are angry that the train company often chooses to bypass the station to allow late trains to make up delays on its network.

The net effect is that using the station has become a lottery for commuters, including children, trying to get to school.

SWR has come under fire this week after the company was unable to run normal services despite the fact that a series of one-day strikes by the RMT were called off.

Councillor Alexander Ehmann, who represents the St Margarets and North Twickenham ward, went public with criticisms after people were stranded on Tuesday morning.

Taking to Twitter, Cllr Ehmann, who is chair of the council's transport committee, complained: "SWR sent 3 trains past St Margarets Station without stopping. 

"Train announcer says passengers should tweet you as the service is 'disgusting' and the trains concerned were 'meant to stop'."

He added: "I'd like a proper response on what occurred today and why St Margaret's commuters are always allowed to be sacrificed to 'recover time' on trains that are delayed (in this case due to delayed train crew).

"People who use this station, expect a service too!"

Another local resident, agreed, saying: "My daughter left for school at 7.50 for the 8.01. She abandoned the train at 8.45 as she couldn't get on one and went for the bus instead ... This should not be happening."

Cllr Ehmann said he would be demanding an explanation from the company.

SWR told Nub News: "We'd like to apologise to customers at St Margarets for the disruption to their services yesterday morning which led to the cancellation of one service and a delay to two more."