In the wake of widespread travel chaos after engineering works on some of the UK’s busiest rail lines overran, Network Rail chief executive Mark Carne has announced that he will not accept his bonus for 2014, during an interview with Sky News. While the size of the anticipated payout has not been revealed, it was expected to be around £34,000: five per cent of his £675,000 salary.

In a statement released on Network Rail’s website, Mr Carne acknowledged the “miserable” experience of many travellers trying to make rail journeys over the period.

He also used it to call for a “broader, industry-wide review, into the timing of our major works programmes and the passenger contingency arrangements for such works”, which he hopes would avoid similar disruptions in the future.

Manuel Cortes, leader of the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association union, welcomed the announcement and encouraged other senior Network Rail executives to follow suit.