PUNCTUALITY on Britain’s railways has plummeted to its lowest point in over a decade, statistics showed yesterday.

Figures from the Office of Rail and Road revealed that more than 10 per cent of trains were late last year, the worst record for a 12-month period since 2006.

The poorest performance was by beleaguered Southern Rail owners Govia Thameslink Railway, with over a quarter of trains failing to arrive on time.

Rail fares increased by an average of 2.3 per cent last month, provoking angry protests at stations across the country.

Campaign for Better Transport spokeswoman Lianna Etkind said: “It’s time that the government got a grip of the situation and started to give passengers what they want: an affordable and reliable rail service.”

A spokesman for privateers’ body the Rail Delivery Group said: “Across the railway, train operators and Network Rail are working together every day to deliver more reliable and safe services for passengers.”