Three of the top ten busiest rail services in England and Wales pass through East Hampshire and south west Surrey.

The Department for Transport has revealed that the 7.14am weekday service from Alton to London Waterloo is the eighth busiest in the country.

The 12-coach service is often a cosy 152 per cent full at its peak – but you’re still in with a chance of getting a seat at Alton, Farnham and Aldershot as it typically reaches this figure on the Woking to Waterloo section.

Woking appears three times on the list as the 6.10am from Portsmouth Harbour to Waterloo – which passes through Petersfield and Haslemere – is fourth with a 157 per cent load factor.

The SWR service is busiest between Guildford and Woking and often runs with eight coaches, while the similar 6.30pm service from Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour is seventh with a 154 per cent load factor.