A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group, which speaks on behalf of the rail industry, said: “We apologise to passengers whose journeys to join family and friends over the festive period have been affected by the bad weather yesterday and today.

Michael Roberts, director general of the Rail Delivery Group which speaks on behalf of the rail industry, said: “With many people getting away to join family and friends over the festive period, we apologise to passengers whose journeys are affected by the bad weather.

Rail ticket prices for 2014 are now publicly available at ticket offices and online.

Rail passengers have rated the UK’s railway the best major network in the European Union, according to a league table of 26 EU member states.