THE CHIEF executive of rail company First Great Western, who has apologised for the poor performance of his company, has pledged real improvements are on track.

In an interview with The Oxford Times this week, Andrew Haines said: "I'll stick my neck out and say I expect positive news in 2008 about the conversion of existing goods loops for passenger trains and an additional platform at Oxford as well as confirmation of Network Rail's plans to redouble sections of the North Cotswolds line."

Converting goods loops (lines used for freight) for passenger train use at Oxford station, along with a new platform on the south side of Oxford station, would ease congestion - the main cause of delays at FGW, which has one of the worst punctuality records in the UK.

The infrastructure of the rail network in Oxfordshire, as elsewhere, is the responsibility of Network Rail - not of individual rail companies.

But Mr Haines, who lives near Wantage, said: "About 70 per cent of delays in the Thames Valley are the fault of Network Rail. Any delay causes congestion. Now I am working closely with Dave Ward, its route director for First Great Western, identifying physical changes needed for the infrastructure."

In response, Network Rail insisted that only 48 per cent of delays were down to infrastructure difficulties.

But Mr Haines added: "Historically there were 200 trains running a day on the First Great Western network. Now there are 1,400.

"Our biggest problem now is dealing with growth. Railways are a success story of recent years."