Network Rail warned on punctuality

Network Rail was today warned it faced action by the industry's regulator after being accused of being "adrift" of its punctuality targets, leaving performance in some areas "well short" of what passengers expected.

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) expressed concern over continuing performance problems across the country's rail network.

Its latest performance figures showed that Network Rail was falling behind key end-of-year punctuality targets, including long distance passenger services, where it is 3.4% adrift.

Performance on East Coast, First Great Western and First ScotRail passenger services were said to be amongst the hardest hit.

"Whilst train passengers generally experience a good level of performance, ORR has called on Network Rail and train operators to work closely together to resolve performance issues and deliver further improvements," said the report.

The regulator warned NR that it will consider formal action if the company failed to deliver on its end-of-year performance targets, which come as part of commitments it is funded to achieve by 2014.

ORR chief executive Richard Price said: "We have seen greater reliability and punctuality across our rail network recently, as the percentage of trains running late has fallen by 10% over the past five years.

"But Network Rail is currently adrift of its key punctuality targets and performance in some areas is falling well short of what passengers expect, notably on East Coast, First Great Western, and First ScotRail. Poor performance must be remedied quickly.

"Network Rail has committed itself to raising performance year-on-year in return for the investment it gets from the public. But on current trends it will miss its targets. We have been watching this closely, particularly on routes where there is a real and sustained problem.

"The causes of delay are often complex, particularly where they are driven by factors from outside the railway like cable theft, but the impact of delay on passengers' lives can be huge.

"Network Rail and the train companies have committed to work together through their National Task Force to tackle these problems. They need to demonstrate that the industry's leadership can really deliver for its customers. It is urgent that they do, and I expect to see robust and realistic plans in the coming weeks which are being acted upon and making a difference."

Robin Gisby, NR's managing director of network operations, said: "Network Rail is focused on continuing to drive up performance and safety across Britain's railway.

"Over the last few years the industry has driven up performance levels to amongst the best in Europe with over 90% of trains arriving on time. Yet, we acknowledge that in some parts of the country performance does not meet the standards that passengers and our customers now rightly demand. Working with our industry partners, we are committed to making further improvements."

PA