Data released by the Strategic Rail Authority has found a modest overall improvement in train times - although one in four trains still arrive late at their destinations.

The report also revealed a 28 per cent increase in passenger complaints. The SRA chairman, Richard Bowker, said: "I do believe the railway needs to get better before it gets bigger."

Forum Response: Virgin Trains

A spokesman for Virgin Trains told ePolitix.com: "The latest performance figures from the Strategic Rail Authority show that punctuality on the West Coast is continuing to improve and year-on-year shows a four per cent improvement for the October to December period.

"On Cross Country, the SRA's figures include the period following the Operation Princess launch when sustained periods of bad weather and outside events which were out of Virgin's control.

"Our latest figures for February 2003 shows performance at 70 per cent, which is an improvement from 64.8 per cent in January 2003. This shows that the changes to the timetable in January are already bringing benefits to passengers."

Forum Response: Stagecoach Group

A spokesman for South West Trains, part of Stagecoach Group, told ePolitix.com: "We have been working hard to improve train performance and a special taskforce set up last year has had a positive impact. We are encouraged to see that peak-time performance improved by 8.5 per cent compared with the same period last year, and all-day performance rose by 5.5 per cent.

"However, we recognise that these figures are not as good as we would have hoped. This was partly due to a large number of infrastructure problems and severe weather conditions, both of which were outside of our control.

"Nevertheless, work is continuing to drive further improvements. We have committed £20 million for train reliability improvemements and we are working closer than ever with Network Rail and infrastructure contractors."