NORTH KENT rail campaigners have expressed their dismay at the fall in standards in train punctuality and reliability. Even Connex South Eastern describe the figures as "awful".

Statistics just released have shown a fall in the percentage of trains running on time and figures for the Connex South Eastern area are even worse. National figures from the Strategic Rail Authority show that punctuality and reliability among trains fell from 79 per cent in July to September to 71.2 per cent in October to December.

For the Connex South Eastern area it fell from 82.7 to 67.7 over the same period.

John Grubb, secretary of the North Kent Rail Users' Group, said: "These figures are nothing to be proud of at all. They are very disappointing and rail users are fed up to the teeth. They don't even bother to complain because their complaints have been ignored."

Ian Cain, a former NKRUG member and now an independent campaigner said: "I am a little surprised at the figures. Dare I say it, the service between Medway and London has been relatively stable so I am not convinced the Connex South Eastern figures really apply to Medway.

"I believe there is a combination of reasons for trains arriving late. For instance there can be a domino effect if just one train is late and things are worsened by staff shortages."

A spokesman for Connex South Eastern said: "We realise that the figures were awful. But, through a closer working relationship with Railtrack this year our services have improved dramatically and we intend to keep improving. For instance, in the month of February, punctuality and reliability rose to 84.6 per cent and on certain mornings during that time we had 100 per cent."