Tuesday 18 September 2018 11:21 am

Train delays hit 12-year peak amid timetable and weather disruption

The punctuality of Britain's trains has reached its worst level in 12 years this year following disruption from severe weather and a botched timetable change in May.

One in seven trains missed the industry’s public performance measure (PPM) in the year to 18 August, according to the rail regulator, the Office for Road and Rail (ORR).

PPM measures whether trains arrive within five minutes of their scheduled time for short-term routes and 10 minutes for long-haul routes.

The statistics come as the Department for Transport (DfT) prepares to announce a review into the rail industry led by John Lewis deputy chairman Keith Williams, following a series of failures that have rocked public faith in the system.

On Thursday the ORR will also publish its report into the May timetable update, which was meant to bring in an increase in the frequency of services but has instead resulted in widespread cancellations, delays and overcrowding.

Weather cycles have been blamed for less reliable trains this year, with the February-March cold spell – nicknamed Beast from the East – delaying some services. Meanwhile, the heatwave this summer caused the cancellations of some trains because of lightning strikes.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: “Passengers' key priority remains a reliable, frequent railway service. The industry’s day-to-day operations and long-term investments should focus on delivering this, especially as more fare rises loom in the new year.”