Train operator First Great Western is keeping up recent improvements in its performance, again beating national targets last month.

In the Thames Valley area, 89.5 per cent of FGW's weekday rush-hour trains were on time, as were 88.7 per cent of long-distance expresses, both service groups beating the rail industry target of 88.3 per cent punctuality.

CrossCountry Trains, which serves Oxford and Banbury, achieved 90.4 per cent punctuality, beating its own 90 per cent target for the third month running.