Punctuality of rail services throughout Essex took a nosedive in the later half of last year.

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) performance tables show that between July and September, 79 per cent of c2c trains ran on time, but this fell to just 74.3 per cent between October and December.

First Great Eastern - which operates trains between Southend Victoria and Liverpool Street, and from Liverpool Street to mid- and north Essex - saw punctuality slip from 85.9 per cent between July and September to 80.5 per cent between October and December.

Despite the problems, however, punctuality and reliability on both lines is now on the up.

In the four week period to March 3 this year c2c said that 94.6 per cent of trains on the Shoebury to Fenchurch Street line ran on time.

First Great Eastern bosses said that last month 92 per cent of trains ran on time.

David Taylor, c2c route director, said: "We are not going to rest on our laurels because things are looking up. Our customers have had to put up with a lot over the last few years, but this year they are seeing the benefits of our huge investment in the route coming through."

First Great Eastern spokesman Peter Northfield said: "Things were bad in the autumn but January and February this year have been good and things are looking good for March."

Published Monday, March 18, 2002