Train reliability has dropped to 86.2 per cent for period eight, down from 88.9 per cent last year.

This is according to Network Rail, which published its monthly performance data for the period from October 13th to November 9th. It lists all the relevant countries with public performance measures (PPM) - the percentage of trains which arrive on time.

Out of all the operators offering public services, c2c Rail was the most reliable, with a PPM of 96.6 per cent. Following close behind were Merseyrail (94.8 per cent) and London Overground (93.4 per cent).

At the bottom of the table was East Coast, but Network Rail states its PPM of 77 per cent was mostly due to external factors with infrastructure and major delays. London Midlands was the second worst offender with 80.2 per cent, with Southern rail in third with 80.4 per cent.

Taking this month's figures into account, the moving annual average is now 90.5 per cent.