Rail operators apologise over timetable disruption in West Norfolk

West Norfolk's main train operator has apologised for disruption caused following the recent switch to new timetables.

Network Rail and Govia Thameslink Railway, the parent company of Great Northern, has issued a joint statement apologising to passengers over recent disruptions, with a promise to improve the service.

The statement reads: "Network Rail, Northern and GTR are urgently working on comprehensive plans to reduce disruption and give passengers the greatest possible certainty of train services, so they can better plan ahead.

"Unfortunately, it will take some time to deliver significant improvements to services, but we will keep passengers up to date on all changes we make."

Operators are reviewing how timetable changes are introduced in order to avoid issues in the future, and are encouraging passengers who have been affected by disruptions to apply for Delay Repay compensation.

Network Rail's chief executive, Mark Carne, said: "There is no doubt that the May timetable was finalised significantly later than normal for reasons that were both within and without our control.

"The consequences of that have been particularly hard on both Northern and GTR to absorb.

"But we are firmly focussed on fixing this issue as quickly as possible to give passengers the reliable service they need and deserve.

"At the moment, in some parts of the country, that simply isn't happening and for that I'd like to wholeheartedly apologise."

GTR's chief executive, Charles Horton, said: "We fully understand that passengers want more certainty and are working very hard to bring greater consistency to the timetable as soon as possible.

"We will also be working with industry colleagues to establish a timetable that will progressively deliver improvement"