First Great Western, which operates train services from Oxford to London Paddington, has made the biggest improvements in rail punctuality in Britain.

In 2008/09, 90.5 per cent of FGW’s trains ran on time – up from 83.1 per cent in 2007/08.

But the operator is still just below the average of 90.6 per cent punctuality for British rail companies.

Chiltern Railways, which runs services to London Marylebone, was the second most punctual train operator in Britain – with 95.2 per cent of services running on time over the last year.