New figures published by Network Rail have highlighted an improvement in train service punctuality across the UK in the past month.

In the same week the company revealed its directors would receive a significantly reduced annual bonus, the organisation confirmed that 93.5 per cent of rail journeys were completed on time between April 28th and May 25th.

This was up from 92.3 per cent in the corresponding period in 2012 and it is encouraging to see things moving in the right direction.

Network Rail said "infrastructure problems, overhead line and signalling equipment" caused the majority of delays on the West Coast Main Line throughout the month, which had an adverse impact on Virgin services in particular.

Indeed, the firm was the worst performer in the UK, with just 85.7 per cent of its trains arriving on time. 

It was another particularly strong month for c2c Rail, with an impressive 98.2 per cent of its services running punctually. Chiltern (97.3 per cent) and Merseyrail (97.2 per cent) also did well.