Half of train delays are as a result of infrastructure failings, according to new data published by the Office of Rail Regulation.

Between April and October this year there were nearly 16,000 infrastructure incidents across the national rail network – a 5% rise on the same period last year. These incidents caused almost 1.7 million minutes of train delays.

Asset failures are increasing, particularly those related to track and cable faults and telecoms failures, it said. 

Some of the increases in delays are as a result of Network Rail deferring works such as track upgrades, level crossing improvements and electrification. The company has, the ORR added, also significantly under spent allocated funds.

Network Rail under spent nearly £1.2Bn meant for maintenance and renewal of its assets during the first four years of the Control Period.

The Regulator said it recognises that the rail operator faces challenges of managing growth and timetabling on a congested network. But it urged Network Rail to make good use of funds provided to renew the network and address problems facing performance.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “While we acknowledge that we are not hitting our tough regulatory targets on performance, our priority has been to provide passengers with more services. 

"When it comes to a choice between running a train that is delayed or cancelling it to protect punctuality and meet these targets, our approach is to run the service because that is in the passengers’ best interests."

Last month the ORR said it expected Network Rail to make £1.7Bn in efficiency savings over the next five year control Period from April 2014 to March 2019, representing around 5% of its budget.

(Photo: Network Rail)

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