London Midland bosses have criticised the rail unions after vowing to find a “long-term” solution to a Sunday working row.

Thousands of commuters were stranded yesterday, as hundreds of services up and down the county were cancelled by the rail franchise due to “staff shortages”.

The company, which won the Watford to London Euston franchise in 2007, has already faced heavy criticism from local politicians.

The company can only currently operate Sunday services if workers, including conductors and train drivers, volunteer for shifts.

Double time payments have been offered to workers as an incentive, however, the temporary agreement ended last weekend.

Andy Thomas, from London Midland, today said: “We are sorry for the inconvenience caused to passengers by yesterday’s cancellations.

“London Midland is committed to seeking a long term solution to Sunday services. “In the meantime, we are working with the existing agreements and arrangements which have been in place since the start of the franchise for Sunday working, where staff who work receive the overtime payments they and their unions had previously agreed.”

He also accused the rail unions of failing to inform the company about the problem.

He said: “The unions have not officially raised an issue with us about the ending of additional enhancements which were agreed over and above normal overtime rates, for the summer months only.

“This issue is one that can only be resolved through discussions, staff not coming to work is not a solution.”