Sir Richard Branson comment " Network Rail 'too big',

Many of the delays that passengers on Virgin Rail suffer are down to Network Rail, he said.

"Network Rail is far too big a company," he said. "I think that companies that kind of size should be broken up into small units."

 

Network Rail said decisions on its future would be taken by the government.

Investment delays

Network Rail faces regulator grilling over reliability

Train services run by Southern, Thameslink and ScotRail all missed punctuality targets, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said.

Network Rail maintains the rail system.

Rail passenger journeys have risen 59.1% since 2005, while freight is up 9.1%.

 

Passengers using Thameslink routes have had to deal with disruption caused by long-term work at London Bridge, while track and signalling failures have disrupted travellers on Southern lines.