COMMUTERS in Waltham Forest could benefit from improved train services if Transport for London (TfL) is successful in its bid for government funding.

Diesel trains are still used on the Barking to Gospel Oak line, which runs through the borough, but TfL says it has made it a priority to ensure the line is electrified by the end of the Olympic Games in 2012.

TfL has earmarked £54 million on improving the East London line and part of the money will be spent on electrifying the Barking to Gospel Oak line because TfL believes it could be an important freight route.

But the plan is dependent on the Government agreeing to provide funding.

Dr Frank Tomlins, secretary of the National Council on Inland Transport, said: "Electrification would mean that there would be trains every 20 minutes instead of every 30 minutes.

"It would also mean trains could be longer than the two carriages at the moment. It would also be a benefit to freight services because trains from Tilbury to Barking could go straight to Willesden Junction.

"At the moment freight trains have to use the busy Great Eastern main line through to Stratford but this delays passenger services."

The move is likely to be seen as a victory for the Barking to Gospel Oak Line Users Group, which has been campaigning for electrification.

A Department for Transport spokesman added: "We are confident these policies will go ahead but we will make an announcement in due course."

The Barking to Gospel Oak Line serves Blackhorse Road and Queens Road stations in Walthamstow, Leyton Midland Road and Leytonstone High Road.