Rail fares across the UK have increased, with regulated tickets going up by an average of 4.8% and unregulated fares rising by as much as 11%.

Train operators have defended the increases, saying the money is necessary to fund improvements to the rail network, but passenger groups have attacked the above-inflation hikes.

The rail consumer watchdog Passenger Focus pointed out that a season ticket from Gillingham to London would rise by 9.78%, from £2,496 a year to £2,740. "Steep rises on individual routes are masked by the average figures published by the industry," said chief executive Anthony Smith.

"The revenue from fares helps pay for investment that directly benefits passengers," said George Muir, director-general of the Association of Train Operating Companies. "Billions of pounds are now being spent to improve the railway and the results are showing through."