A frustrated commuter has been forced to rent a London flat thanks to the massive delays caused by the collapse of the sea wall between Dover and Folkestone.

Matt Ford, of Middle Deal Road, commutes to London on the high speed train line, but since the collapse of the wall at Shakespeare beach closed the line his journey has been made almost impossible.

Now Mr Ford, 40, is calling on the MP for Deal and Dover to take action and has taken out a full page advertisement in the Mercury to highlight the cause.

He said: “You only have to look at the town, it has been buoyed by the high speed rail, whether people are taking second properties here or took jobs which allow them to commute, this poses a very real risk to the economy if you ask me.

“They’ve been rather short-sighted about it all in terms of urgency.”

Mr Ford who works for a financial company in London but grew up in Deal said it is “ludicrous” that after a month there has been very little progress.

He also raised concerns that the MP did not attend the last meeting and instead sent a representative from his office.

“I have been pressing Network Rail to bring forward their repair plans swiftly." - Mr Elphicke

Mr Ford said: “As our elected representative, he doesn’t do anything for us.”

The commuter said there has been a lack of communication with rail users, Southeastern, Mr Elphicke and Network Rail.

He was forced to work from home last week and has taken drastic measures to temporarily rent a flat in London in the week during the disruptions.

He said if they continue and nothing is resolved, he may have to consider moving away from Deal.

Mr Ford, along with Trains 4 Deal campaigners, would like to see a new route starting at Dover and heading in the opposite direction through to Deal, Ramsgate, Minster and up to London.

Trains 4 Deal has met with the MP and put suggestions for relief fast trains via the Minster loop to him and Southeastern.

The group has also made suggestions regarding the timings of the trains and replacement buses which campaigners and commuters say are not suitable.

Another meeting has been organised for tomorrow at the Bohemian, Beach Street, Deal, at 8.30pm.

MP Charlie Elphicke will be attending and representatives from Network Rail and Southeastern will also be on hand to answer questions.

MP Charlie Elphicke said: “Within days of the sea wall failure I got Network Rail and Southeastern trains round the table.

“I have been pressing Network Rail to bring forward their repair plans swiftly.

“Indeed I had a further meeting with Network Rail on their repair plans earlier this week.

“I have been pressing Southeastern trains to get their bus service working properly, their Dover to Ramsgate shuttle to arrive on time and to ensure that communications with rail users are improved.

“In addition I have been meeting with Trains 4 Deal and pressing Southeastern trains to have services to go via the Minster Loop too.

“I am holding a public meeting this Friday with Trains 4 Deal, Network Rail and Southeastern trains.

“I urge Mr Ford to knock off the US-style personal attack ads and instead join me in seeking solutions and answers that will work for Deal and Walmer.”