More Brits are taking the train, according to new statistics, which show that rail journeys have more than doubled in the past two decades.

Indeed, a record 1.3 billion train trips were made in the last year to March, according to figures from The Office of Rail Regulation. Furthermore, commuter journeys between London and the South East were up by 2.9 per cent on the last year, at 191 million.

All regions saw an increase in train journeys compared to the previous year, apart from Wales, which experienced a drop of 1.3 per cent, which was contributed to by storms affecting services.

A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group, which represents Network Rail and train operators, said:“There is more to do to make Britain’s railway even better but new and improved services combined with good value fares are attracting more passengers to travel by train.

“Passenger numbers have almost doubled since the late 1990s contributing to a fivefold increase in money being returned by operators to government for investment in a better railway.”