Bus and train operator FirstGroup said it expected no long-term harm to passenger numbers from the extensive repairs and disruption on the Rail network since the Hatfield rail crash, writes David Duffy.

Chief executive Moir Lockhead conceded its rail business, including the First Great Western franchise involved in last year's Paddington rail crash, had been severely affected by the repairs as well as the flooding.

While the company would need to keep a close eye on numbers, he expected passengers would return and not be lost to the roads or other forms of transport.

He said: "The recovery in patronage is normally very quick and very much stronger than expected."

Any impact from the repairs during the last two weeks would be fully compensated for any disruption from railways operator Railtrack.

Group pre-tax profits for the six months to September 30 came in at £56.8m, against £52.7m at the same point last year. Turnover increased to £991.2m, compared with £766.5m. UK rail revenues rose to £365.3m.