The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has welcomed record train punctuality figures, but said that Network Rail must work more efficiently to minimise the disruption its engineering work causes to all rail users.

In its National rail review, ORR comments on a positive set of indicators which show that train punctuality has exceeded 90% - its best level for more than 10 years. But, the regulator also highlights that Network Rail will need to reduce by more than a third the disruption caused to passengers by engineering work.

Bill Emery, ORR Chief Executive said: "The latest figures are excellent news for most passengers. However, the regular closure of parts of the network for engineering work causes substantial disruption and inconvenience to many passengers and freight customers, as well as deterring others from using the network altogether. For rail to make its full contribution to our economy it is important that this disruption is reduced significantly. We have been taking steps to ensure this happens.

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"Over the next five years Network Rail must continue to carry out a full schedule of maintenance and renewal of the infrastructure, together with a massive programme of enhancements to increase network capacity. But work by Network Rail and train operators has shown that it should be possible both to achieve increased efficiency and to reduce disruption to train services by adopting best practice and exploiting technological advances. We expect the railway to be kept open for business for as much time as is possible, and we propose to set Network Rail a target to reduce disruption to passengers by 17% within three years and 37% within five years."

The regulator has also told Network Rail to implement a programme of improvements to the way it manages engineering possessions to reduce unplanned disruption when work overruns.

(CD/JM)