Train reliability on Suffolk branch lines has improved significantly over the winter after Greater Anglia fitted new brake systems to its diesel units.

Trains on the East Suffolk Line between Ipswich and Lowestoft were 5% more punctual than they were in 2016 while trains on the Sudbury branch from Marks Tey were 4% more punctual.

The units were modified to ensure they did not slip on wet leaves that had fallen on to the tracks.

The company said the Autumn period was more challenging this year, with 32 days of slippery rails, the highest for three years. On several days there were more leaves lying on the ground that at any point in the previous five years. More than 30% of the leaves fell in East Anglia over a fortnight between November 8 and 22.

Keith Palmer from Greater Anglia said: “The work to fit new brakes to our branch line trains resulted in better performance on rural branch lines during the Autumn.”