Network Rail's maximum bonuses are based in part on punctuality improving to 84%, barely five percentage points higher than this year's bad performance.

ECONOMIST: Network Rail's deteriorating performance is under attack

During that time Network Rail will complete track relaying and signalling work, refurbish platforms and remove the last part of the old footbridge.

BBC: Reading Station partly shut during upgrade works

And by elsewhere, the most striking part of this story is how active Scotland has been in building its rail network when there has been no such activity in England.

BBC: Reversing Dr Beeching