Rail network punctuality drops to worst level in almost a decade, figures show

Punctuality on Britain's railways has fallen to its worst level in almost a decade, according to official figures.

More than one in every 10 trains (10.9%) failed to arrive at its destination on time in the 12 months to the end of March.

This is the worst performance since 2006-07, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) regulator said.

Trains only fail the industry's punctuality measure if they are at 10 minutes late for long-distance services and five minutes late for commuter trains.

Separate figures show that 3.1% of trains were cancelled or at least 30 minutes late over the same period - the highest level since 2004-05.

Labour's shadow transport secretary Lilian Greenwood commented: "It's clear that punctuality on the rail network is in free fall under the Tories.

"Passengers are paying ever higher prices to travel on increasingly unreliable and overcrowded carriages. Ministers must stop making excuses and act."

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) - which is responsible for Thameslink, Southern and Gatwick Express services - had the worst punctuality over the past year with just 81.5% of trains on time, followed by Virgin Trains East Coast (85.2%) and the Caledonian Sleeper (86%).

Punctuality in London and the South East fell to 87.8% over the past year.

The ORR said delays in this region due to track faults such as broken rails had increased by 37%, while disruption as a result of issues with train crews rose by 24%.

Delays caused by severe weather events tripled, the regulator added.