'I carry a hammer so I can get out'

Rail lines serving Waterloo have been identified by Evening Standard readers as the ones which cause the most apprehension over safety.

The calls and emails to our Rail Hotline reflect widespread concern over the stability of the services from the South of England and south-west London, especially between Clapham Junction and the mainline station.

Jennifer Sainsbury, 39, a marketing manager, uses that stretch of track every day. She said: "The trains seem to leave the track and come back with a thud just after Earlsfield. I travel with a hammer in my handbag so I can smash a window to get out if something happens."

Brian Croney, of Hampton, Middlesex, said: "By far the worst irregularity occurs midway between Queenstown Road station and the next bridge."

The track around Waterloo is maintained by Railtrack's contractor Balfour Beatty. The company referred all calls to Railtrack which attributed the bumpy ride to the type of rail which is welded together in sections and "has no smooth join".