Commuters were left to queue in the freezing cold and many missed delayed trains after their station's only ticket machine stopped working.

Passengers were forced to wait for up to 40 minutes in minus degree temperatures at Greenhithe railway station this morning.

Photos have emerged online of long snaking queues as people waited to be served by the one cashier at the station near Bluewater Shopping Centre during peak rush hour.

And delays could yet stretch on until later this week with the rail operator informing KentOnline there is no completion date confirmed for the machine's repair.

Marina, of Eagles Road, missed her train despite arriving at the station in plenty of time to catch it.

"I was aiming to get the 7.42am train," she said. "It was actually delayed by six minutes, but I still missed it.

"I always get that train to Dartford then catch a connecting train to London Victoria, but if I miss my train at Greenhithe then I miss my connecting train, so that is why it is so frustrating.

"The wait time at Greenhithe affects my whole journey into work."

Marina, who commutes into London three times a week, had to wait half an hour to buy a ticket.

She added: "There is only one ticket machine so when the ticket office is closed that causes a problem too.

"Today the ticket machine was broken so everyone was relying on the one person at the ticket office. It's an absolute joke!

"I know people have asked for two machines to be set up at the station to help commuters but nothing has happened yet."

To make matters worse, commuters claim the ticket machine wasn't working on Saturday night either.

"The wait time at Greenhithe affects my whole journey into work."

Becca Wells, from London Road, wanted to get the train on Saturday evening but the machine was broken then.

So she was forced to risk a run-in with a train inspector by travelling without a ticket, until she could buy it at the other end.

"I went to use the ticket machine at 5pm on Saturday and it was broken then, I had to get off at London Bridge and buy my ticket then.

"You always have the worry they won't believe you at the other end."

A spokesperson for Southeastern said: "We'd like to apologise that the ticket machine at Greenhithe is out of action.

"We don't yet have a date for the repair to be completed at this time, but we expect it will be very soon.

"Customers can buy tickets in advance on The Key through the Southeastern app."

However, some have pointed out The Key – a smartcard alternative to paper tickets introduced by the rail operator – is not available all stations.

"Those suggesting the Key - it doesn't cover all stations," one resident said. "I can't get to Canary Wharf using it, so useless for a lot of us!