Punctuality for the UK's train services has dropped to 84.4 per cent for the ninth period, running between November 10th and December 7th.

This is less than the 86.2 per cent in period eight, itself below the 86.9 the stage before, marking a continuing decline. The moving year's average is now at 90.4 per cent.

Once again, c2c Rail was the most punctual, with 97.3 per cent of services arriving on time, followed by London Overground (94.8 per cent) and Chiltern Railways (93.6 per cent).

The worst performing operator was London Midland, with 76 per cent efficiency. Network Rail puts this down to a number of factors beyond the company's control, including severe weather and fallen trees blocking lines.

London Midland was followed by East Coast (78.6 per cent) and Virgin Trains (79.5 per cent) as the least reliable service providers.

Network Rail measures punctuality in public performance measures, allowing commuter trains five minutes to arrive at their destination and ten minutes for long distance services.