RAIL passengers will have to wait until next year before Oyster cards are accepted on national rail following further delays.

Overground stations such as Chingford, Highams Park and Wood Street on the Liverpool Street line have had Oyster card swipe machines installed since last year but passengers can’t use them because they haven’t been activated yet.

Transport for London, National Express East Anglia and the London Mayor promised that all 250 affected railway stations in London would “go live” with Oyster by the end of this year, but this has now been delayed until January.

In May, the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) on behalf of the railway operator, denied there would be a delay.

But today a spokesman confirmed that it will be next year and said an exact date will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

A Transport for London spokesman said the delay is so that the Oyster card system will be introduced at the same time as fare changes on both National Rail and TfL services, causing the minimum amount of confusion for passengers.

A Transport for London spokesman said: "TfL is investing £40m to install or upgrade equipment at rail stations across London, so passengers can benefit from the speed and convenience of Oyster.

"Discussions with the train operating companies are at an advanced stage and we anticipate that we will be able to provide an update about Oyster PAYG on National Rail services in Greater London shortly."

Click here to follow the Waltham Forest Guardian on Twitter