Train company c2c – which runs services through Upminster, Rainham and West Horndon – has been named Rail Operator of the Year at the National Transport Awards.

c2c set a new UK punctuality record in September, with 97.2 per cent of its trains arriving on-time during the previous twelve months.

It was the tenth successive time that c2c has finished top of this punctuality table

Judges praised the way the company has pioneered new ways of involving and communicating with passengers, including a unique trial of its new timetable before it was introduced to allow customer feedback

c2c Managing Director Julian Drury said: “I am thrilled that c2c has been recognised as the country’s leading train operator.

“It has been our most successful year ever, delivering new levels of train punctuality never achieved before in the UK, and the award is recognition for the hard work of every single c2c employee.”