UK rail infrastructure operator Network Rail tried to cover up engineering failures that led to hundreds of train cancellations and delays for passengers, an investigation by The Times has uncovered.
In a leaked internal memo, Network Rail instructed its press officers to hide the truth from the media about the cause of delays on the Great Eastern main line into London's Liverpool Street station on Tuesday following an overrun in Easter engineering work.
Network Rail was under pressure to complete the work on time following Christmas engineering overruns and a record ВЈ14m fine by UK rail regulator the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR).
Errors by Network Rail engineers to restore services meant almost five-hour delays at Shenfield, Essex, the newspaper reports.
According to the investigation, Network Rail failed to test the signalling system in advance to ensure it would operate properly when turned back on following work. This meant several signals were stuck on red.
But Network Rail's Chief Executive told the BBC that the problems at Liverpool Street station were not due to the engineering works, blaming points failures and unrelated works.
Last week, Network Rail issued a statement outlining there would be minimal disruption for passengers over the Easter holiday period.
In February this year, the company was instructed by the ORR to cut its costs to improve accountability and commuter services.
Network Rail has also vowed to bring engineering work in-house to exert great control over projects.
