A RAIL union has accused the beleaguered company which runs a line through Waltham Forest of milking profits.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union is balloting members who work for National Express East Anglia, which operates the Chingford to Liverpool Street line, over pay.

The government says it intends to take the East Coast rail service, run by National Express, into state ownership because of large losses and falling passenger numbers.

But the RMT claims National Express is trying to milk the franchise in a desperate bid to prop up profits and shareholder dividends.

Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, said: “RMT are in no doubt that the failure to make any kind of meaningful pay off to staff on National Express East Anglia is all about the company trying to milk the franchises that they have left and make their staff pay for a crisis which was cooked up in the boardroom by senior managers who have now jumped ship.

“We are calling on the Government to stand firm, to get this company off our tracks and to seize the opportunity to begin a long-term programme of re-nationalising the railways.”

A National Express East Anglia spokeswoman said: "We are disappointed that the union is balloting their members as we a still in discussions with them to find an amicable solution to this year's pay award.

"Strike action is not the solution, it would only result in a difficult time for staff and passengers.We will continue to be available for constructive discussions with the unions."