{"id":443480,"date":"2026-06-01T20:53:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T10:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?guid=c886d376158ba35e7c75599c282aa1d4"},"modified":"2026-06-01T20:53:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T10:53:00","slug":"fewer-delays-and-cancellations-in-wales-western-following-regulator-intervention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=443480","title":{"rendered":"Fewer delays and cancellations in Wales & Western following regulator intervention"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fewer delays and cancellations in Wales & Western following regulator intervention<\/span>
\n

Fewer trains are being cancelled in Wales and the West of England and more are arriving on time, following the completion of an investigation into train performance by the rail regulator, and investment and changes to working practices by Network Rail. <\/div>\n
\n
Cover Image<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
Image<\/div>\n
\"Newport<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
\n
Body<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
Components<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has been monitoring the implementation of Network Rail\u2019s long term performance improvement plan, intended to reduce cancellations and delays due to its infrastructure and operation of the network. Network Rail\u2019s plan follows the conclusion of an investigation into train performance in its Wales & Western region in mid 2024. The regulator found that Network Rail infrastructure, and the company\u2019s working practices, were contributing to poor train performance in the region.<\/p>\n

Since August 2024, Network Rail\u2019s investments and changes to working practices have contributed to passenger cancellations reducing by more than a fifth at the end of 2025-26, and to an improvement in the percentage of trains arriving within three minutes of their scheduled time from 77.6% to 79.4%.<\/p>\n

Network Rail undertook extensive interventions in the Thames Valley area, concentrating on track, overhead line equipment, axle counters and points. The company has also introduced welfare officers to prevent trespass at key Thames Valley stations, and further along the Great Western Mainline, it has improved flood resilience at Chipping Sodbury.<\/p>\n

Across the region, Network Rail has developed its leadership capability, improved train control functions and set up dedicated timetable planning taskforces and reviews, and improved incident learning and stranded train management.<\/p>\n

ORR considers that Network Rail has now implemented its performance improvement plan, meaning it can formally close its enforcement action.<\/p>\n

Graham Richards, Director, Planning and Performance, said<\/strong>: <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

\u201cFollowing concerted efforts from Network Rail, and continued engagement by our teams at ORR, I am pleased to see that passengers in Wales & Western are experiencing better, more reliable train services. <\/p>\n

\u201cNevertheless, we know that for many passengers train performance is not what they would expect \u2013 so we are continuing to work with train operators and Network Rail across the country on how to further improve performance.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n

Mark Killick, Network Rail\u2019s Managing Director for Wales & Western Region, said:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

\u201cCustomers are seeing a more reliable railway, reflecting the extensive improvements we\u2019ve delivered over the last two years.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know delays and cancellations still impact journeys, so while this progress is a positive step, we continue to work closely with our industry partners to deliver an ever more reliable railway for our customers.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\"Line<\/p>\n

Notes to Editors<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is the independent economic and safety regulator for Britain\u2019s railways, and monitor of performance and efficiency for England\u2019s strategic road network.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
    \n
    \n
    \n

    Downloads<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
    \n
    \n
    \n
    \n
    Network Rail\u2019s implementation of its Wales & Western region train performance improvement plan: letter dated 1 June 2026<\/a><\/div>\n

    Published 1 June 2026<\/span>\n<\/div>\n

    \n
    Document<\/div>\n
    \n
    \n PDF 174.31 KB\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
    More info<\/a><\/div>\n
    Download<\/a><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n
    \n