Rail punctuality figures in the region have hit an eight year high, according to new figures released today.

Almost 95pc of Greater Anglia trains were on time last month, the latest performance figures from Network Rail show.

The rail operator, which took control of the East Anglian franchise in February, recorded a 4pc increase in punctuality between June 24 and July 21 compared to the same period last year when National Express East Anglia were running the network.

Officials from Greater Anglia said the 94.56pc punctuality figure was a sign that closer working with Network Rail staff was beginning to pay off.

The figure is the highest public performance measure (PPM) for any four week period since the current franchise structure for the East Anglia region was introduced in 2004. Punctuality on rural routes in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire was even higher at 94.8pc whilst mainline services were at 93.4pc.

Ruud Haket, managing director of Greater Anglia said: 'I am extremely encouraged that after just six months operation of the new Greater Anglia franchise, the work we are jointly taking forward with Network Rail in forging a much closer partnership to deliver better train service performance, has helped to achieve the best four-week period of performance in this franchise so far.'

'The continued improvement in punctuality across the Greater Anglia network is very pleasing and in recognising that there is still more work to do in delivering the consistent levels of train service performance that our customers expect, we will continue to work with our colleagues at Network Rail in focusing on further improvement.'

Greater Anglia's first punctuality figures for the network were 91.8pc in March.

First Capital Connect recorded a punctuality figure of 92.9pc and East Midlands Trains 91.1pc, according to the latest figures. The national average was 92.7pc.