Rail operator c2c has dramatically improved the punctuality of its trains, new figures out today revealed.

The firm, which runs services between Shoebury and London, has seen 6.7 per cent more trains running on time over the past year, according to a figures released by the Strategic Rail Authority.

This places c2c fourth most improved out of 24 train companies currently in operation across the country.

Peter Slattery, chairman of Southend Rail Travellers' Association, had noticed an improvement in punctuality.

However, he did not think this was helping commuters who had to cram onto trains like sardines because of recent reductions in carriages numbers for rush hour trains.

He said: "I suppose the punctuality is better but that's no good if people can't get on the trains during rush hour.

"Passengers who have paid £2,500 for their annual pass to London do not expect to either have to wait for the next train or to have to stand for most of the journey, because there are less carriages."

The overall punctuality of Britain's trains has improved by just 0.2 per cent over the past year.

A total of 84.5 percent of trains ran on time between April and June, compared with 84.3 per cent in the same period a year ago.

The Strategic Rail Authority said 13 out of 24 train operating companies showed an improvement in performance, seven showed a decrease while four remained virtually unchanged.

Nicola Shaw, the SRA's managing director of operations, said: "The industry is trying. There are signs that where the effort has been greatest it is succeeding, but it is not yet universal or consistent.

"That level of effort is required all the way through everything we do, throughout the industry, so that passengers experience the results of those efforts. Success will come when they experience it day in and day out.''