MORE than a third of serious delays on trains in the district are caused by signal failures, new figures have revealed.

The figures, compiled by the Witham and Braintree Rail Users Association, show that 38 of 107, or 35.5 percent, of major delays during peak hour services in 2016 were caused by signalling problems.

Figures also show that train failures caused 22 serious delays last year, down from 30 in 2015.

In total there were 15 less recorded major delays in 2016 compared to 2015, however just over 15 percent of trains were still recorded as arriving late.

Operator Greater Anglia wrote to stakeholders across the region last week seeking support to put the case forward for investment by Network Rail.

Among the proposals are digital signalling upgrades between Colchester and London Liverpool Street, which would enable more frequent services and increase reliability.

Braintree Council praised the move by Great Anglia to push for more investment in the rail network and said it would continue to back calls for improvements.

Lady Patricia Newton, cabinet member for planning and housing, said: "We have been working with Essex County Council and Greater Anglia to represent our residents’ concerns and their need for improvements and we will all lobby Network Rail to improve our rail services.

"Put simply, the better the transport infrastructure, the more jobs and opportunities our residents and businesses will have now and in the future.”