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Plans for double decker trains on lines into one of London's busiest stations were today branded "desperate".

Network Rail has launched a consultation on two deck trains into Waterloo as it braces for 88 million extra passengers on its South West lines over the next 30 years.

Other plans being consulted on include the introduction of 125mph trains and extra tracks between Surbiton in Surrey and Clapham Junction.

The network says up to 55 trains arrive at Waterloo each hour at peak times - and passenger numbers are set to increase dramatically.

But Transport commentator and Labour Mayoral hopeful Christian Wolmar said double decker trains were fraught with problems when they were previously used in the UK during the 1960s.

"It's a slightly desperate measure but it's one of the few ways to increase capacity," he said.

"There are two problems. One is that it's very cramped, particularly upstairs, and the other is that they have great problems about the doors because people take a long time getting on and off."

He added: "It's feasible but they have to find their way around those two problems. Double decker trains are one of the few ways to improve infrastructure capacity."

Tim Shoveller, chief executive of the Network Rail-South West Trains Alliance, said: "Work we are already doing over the next five years will make a huge difference, including lengthening suburban trains and reopening the Waterloo International Terminal. But we need to do more, and do it quickly.

“The plans we are proposing in this study mean we will be able to cope with a forecast growth of 40 per cent on main line services over the next thirty years. We are also looking at what kind of improvements we can offer in reliability and frequency by introducing new technology which will allow us to improve the network further.

“It’s fantastic that more and more people want to travel by train and we want to provide the railway to take them where they are going.”

The consultation is running for 90 days.