Three out of ten trains are late according to figures published yesterday.

For the first time Network Rail has given details of train punctuality based on the number of services that arrive either early or within 59 seconds of schedule.

The figures show that 70.3% of London and south-east services were on time during 2011/12.

This compares with monthly figures published by Net-work Rail which define short-distance services being on time if they arrive up to five minutes late. This identifies less than one in ten trains as late.

The rail company said that punctuality had improved from 44.4% on the same services in 2001/02 based on the 59-seconds rule.

Punctuality on the region’s lines was marginally higher than the overall national figure of 69.8% of trains.

Network Rail network operations managing director Robin Gisby said: “We are committed to improving punctuality as far as possible but as the numbers of passengers and trains continues to increase, it becomes ever more difficult to do.

“We will be open and honest with the public about our performance and the capacity constraints we’re working under, identifying the investment needed to tackle these constraints and continue to grow and develop the railway into a service of which the British people can be proud.”

Michael Roberts, the chief executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies, said: “Rail passengers now have more information about punctuality in this country than on the continent and more than travellers who fly or drive within Great Britain.”