Delays could cost Network Rail tens of millions in fines

THE firm which runs Britain’s railway tracks faces a multi-million-pound fine for failing to curb increasing train delays in Scotland and on cross-Border routes.

The penalty, which could run to tens of millions of pounds, would be Network Rail’s first for poor performance since it took over from Railtrack in 2002.

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) made the threat yesterday after Network Rail’s performance continued to deteriorate despite being warned about its downward spiral in June.

The ORR said East Coast, Virgin and ScotRail passengers had suffered the most, especially because of the time it took to restore normal services following disruption, including after trespass incidents and suicides.

Other causes of disruption have included bad weather and the theft of high-value copper signalling cables.

Only 83.5 per cent of East Coast trains, which link London and Scotland via Newcastle, were on time in the last year, along with 85 per cent of Virgin services, including Glasgow-London and Edinburgh-Birmingham – collectively 2 per cent below target.

ScotRail’s punctuality was 88.7 per cent – 3 per cent below target.

Chief executive Richard Price, in a letter to Sir David Higgins, his opposite number at Network Rail, said the patience of several train operators “has been worn down by successive improvement plans which have not delivered the promised benefits”.

He added that delays to freight trains were one third over the agreed target.

Transport minister Keith Brown warned Network Rail it should “not underestimate the significance” of the ORR’s action.

He said: “I am determined to see rail industry standards improve, ensuring it responds to the needs of Scotland’s rail passengers and delivers the services they rightly deserve.”

Anthony Smith, chief executive of rail watchdog Passenger Focus, said: “Punctuality is one of passengers’ top priorities for improvement and we welcome ORR’s commitment to focusing on this.”

Robin Gisby, Network Rail’s managing director of network operations, said: “Network Rail is focused on continuing to drive up performance and safety across Britain’s railways.

“Over the last few years the industry has driven up performance levels to amongst the best in Europe with over 90 cent of trains arriving on time. Volumes are high and growing and where the industry has focused its efforts there have been improvements. Yet, we acknowledge that in many parts of the country, passenger and freight performance does not meet the standards our customers demand.”