RAIL fares have risen at a level well above inflation hitting commuters hard, according to Thurrock Labour representatives.

Season tickets went up on average 5.8 per cent across the country on Sunday and commuters in Thurrock will be forced to shell out about an extra £120 a year to get to work in London.

An annual season ticket from Tilbury, Grays, Chafford Hundred and Ockendon now costs £1920 and costs about £2,400 from Stanford-le-Hope and East Tilbury.

Labour's council candidate for Stanford West, Gemma Robbins told the Gazette: "As someone who regularly travels into London for work I know what a big difference this will make to me and the hundreds of others who commute from Stanford-le-Hope.”

The Gazette revealed last month how residents in east Thurrock would be bearing more of the brunt on season tickets because Pitsea is the price setting station for tickets from East Tilbury and Stanford-le-Hope.

Gemma added “rail fare increases are expected to get even higher as the Coalition government plans to scrap Labour's legislation that limited many fare increases to rate of inflation plus 1 per cent. From January 2012, line operators will be able to increase fares at the rate of inflation plus 3 per cent”.

Roger Pope, spokesman for the Thurrock Rail Users Group (TRUG) said: “I went to Tilbury station on Sunday hoping to beat the rises but all the fares went up on January 2.

“I travel to London between six and seven days a week and I can only think these rises are going to force more people onto the roads.

“Compared to some other areas of the country which have seen 12 and 13 per cent rises in fares we have done quite well with only getting 5.8 per cent, but customers are under huge financial strain and we cannot see where the increase in cost is going to pass to. We hope this not just to boost profits or shareholders.”

Carl Morris, Labour's parliamentary spokesperson added said: "This is just another example of the government making it harder for working people. Many in Thurrock rely on rail links with London and this increase in fares will leave them out of pocket.”