OLD Bexley and Sidcup MP James Brokenshire has urged Network Rail to improve its services.

New stats reveal performances have worsened across Bexley borough in the last year and the politician is keen for action be taken.

In a letter to Mr Brokenshire from the chief executive of the Office of the Rail Regulator Richard Price, data showed a whopping 60 per cent of delays to Southeastern network passengers was caused by Network Rail failures.

Thirty-four per cent of the problems are attributed to Southeastern and six per cent are caused by other train operators.

Mr Brokenshire will be highlighting passenger concerns with Network Rail route manger Steve Cassidy at a meeting in Westminster this week.

The MP said: "Current service reliability provided to Southeastern customers simply isn’t good enough and Network Rail needs to demonstrate they are getting a grip."

News Shopper: Old Bexley and Sidcup MP James Brokenshire calls for Network Rail to improve service

A Network Rail spokesman said: "The railway endured a very difficult end to 2013, with multiple and sustained extreme weather conditions.

"Despite this, over the same period Network Rail was able to successfully deliver a £110m investment programme during Christmas and the New Year – the largest ever undertaken over a two-week period."

Network Rail spokesman Chris Denham said: "The railway endured a very difficult end to 2013, with multiple and sustained extreme weather conditions.

"Storm-force winds brought down almost 400 trees onto the railway while torrential rain caused almost 130 floods and 29 landslips, including several in Kent.

“Despite this, over the same period Network Rail was able to successfully deliver a £110m investment programme during Christmas and the New Year – the largest ever undertaken over a two-week period.”