Network Rail has confirmed the punctuality of train services increased between May 26th and June 22nd.

Some 93.1 per cent of trains reached their intended destination on time over the course of the month, which was up from 92.9 per cent in the corresponding period in 2012.

This was the joint best performance ever recorded for this particular month and is comfortably above the moving annual average of 91 per cent.

Last month, the Office of Rail Regulation warned Network Rail it wanted to see significant improvements in reliability and it seems the company is already delivering a more efficient service.

Overall, c2c Rail was the most punctual service provider, with an impressive 97.8 per cent of trains arriving on schedule. 

Virgin Trains was the worst performer, with just 84.5 per cent of its journeys being completed on time, although Network Rail admitted that 70 per cent of the delays experienced by Virgin passengers were caused by infrastructure problems like overhead line failures and track faults.