Rail industry believed it could deliver new timetables 'until last moment'

The rail industry believed "until the last moment" that it could successfully introduce the new timetables that have led to major disruption, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said.

He accepted people would find that "hard to understand", amid mass cancellations and delays on Northern and Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR).

In a statement in the Commons, Mr Grayling revealed that GTR "assured me personally that they were ready" just three weeks before services were rescheduled on May 20.

"Clearly this was wrong and it is totally unacceptable," he said.

"The rail industry has collectively failed to deliver for the passengers it serves.

"It's right that the industry has apologised for the situation that we are currently in and that we learn the lessons for the future."