Rail operator slammed over delays

Back

Car insurance premiums are looking even better value for money in the wake of stinging criticism of the country’s rail infrastructure.

Regulators have set Network Rail (NR) a target of reducing disruption to passengers from engineering work by more than a third over the next five years.

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) said disruption must be cut by 17% within three years and by 37% within five years.

It also told NR that it had to implement a programme of improvements to the way it manages engineering work to reduce unplanned disruption when work overruns.

Three engineering overruns at the New Year caused travel chaos and led to ORR fining NR a record £14 million.

One of the overruns was on the West Coast Main Line, which runs between London and Scotland, where continuing engineering work has led to service disruptions on most weekends this summer.

ORR said that NR was missing its performance targets on the other main London to Scotland route - the East Coast Main Line.

ORR chief executive Bill Emery said: "For rail to make its full contribution to our economy, it is important that this disruption is reduced significantly."

"We have been taking steps to ensure this happens."

Get a car insurance or home insurance quote now.