The number of train delays due to snow, black ice and leaves on the line has dropped since 2015 when new techniques to combat bad weather were introduced, rail company Prorail said on Monday.

In 2015 there were 819 delays due to weather conditions, but that fell to 687 in 2016. And with six weeks to go, so far this year the weather has caused 515 train delays.

Prorail said the downturn is due to the use of more sensors in the rails, at points and in the overhead cabling. In addition, better weather forecasting techniques have helped rail companies take steps to head off delays and deal with expected problems.

Prorail is also using a special train in the autumn to spray the tracks with gel so they don’t become slippery with leaves.

‘We are doing all we can to prevent disruption,’ Prorail said. ‘It can be that we have to cancel services, such as when a heavy snowfall is expected. But that does help us prevent worse disruption.’