BUS and train group National Express has received a compensation package from Railtrack totalling £16m.

The payment is one of several the rail network operator has paid out to train firms in the wake of the Hatfield crash and subsequent disruption.

National Express is the largest operator of train franchises in the UK, running nine services including Gatwick Express, Midland Mainline, ScotRail, Silverlink and WAGN.

Finance director William Rollason said as well as compensation, the sum included other outstanding costs associated with the supply and trading agreement between itself and Railtrack.

Earlier in the year, National Express hit out at rail network management and the levels of compensation being offered, but yesterday Mr Rollason said the group was happy with the deal.

Chief executive Phil White said he was pleased with the division's performance during the first half, as turnover and operating profits went up.

As well as its train division, National Express operates bus services in the US.

Strong performances across nearly all of its divisions helped boost turnover for the six months to June 30 from £911.3m last year to £1.18bn.

Pre-tax profit also jumped, from £21.8m to £133.1m, with a one-off gain on the disposal of its airports division.

Stripping that out, pre-tax profits were £60.5m, up from the equivalent figure of £50.4m last year.