Improvements made to the UK's railway infrastructure helped British businesses to claw in an extra £3.2 billion over the last year, new figures have shown.

According to Network Rail, recent projects, including the King's Cross, Reading and Birmingham New Street station redevelopments, Crossrail and the Thameslink Programme have all helped to generate greater profits for companies across the country.

Simon Kirby, managing director of Network Rail Infrastructure Projects, said the rail industry is a "key contributor" to national, social and economic well being. 

"Across Britain, investment in a bigger, better railway has provided a massive boost to hundreds of businesses of all shapes and sizes, supporting sustainable economic growth and jobs," he commented.

Although the Office of Rail Regulation recently urged Network Rail to trim its expenditure, the company still plans to spend significant sums on improvement works in the next few years.

In addition to this, chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said the government has set out £100 billion of investment in the nation's rail infrastructure over the course of the next Parliament.