Railtrack directors 'facing the axe' as train delays worsen

Three senior Railtrack executives are expected to be removed from the board by administrators amid complaints that their focus has been fighting the Government rather than running an efficient railway network.

According to a report in the Financial Times, Ernst & Young are expected to announce the departure of the chairman, John Robinson, and the financial director, David Harding, from the board of railway infrastructure business next week. They are also thought to be on the brink of removing Steve Marshall, the chief executive, although this could be delayed until a replacement has been found.

The directive to oust the executives comes amid growing concern in the Government over falling standards and inefficiency. Performance of the railways, measured in delays to trains, has plunged 45 per cent since Railtrack was forced into administration by the Government on 7 October and there are continuing concerns over safety. Train operators and passenger watchdogs have also complained about the quality of service, including the rise in delays.

A source close to the debate said that while the decision would be made by the administrators, the Transport Secretary, Stephen Byers, was eager to define a clear division between responsibilities to the railway network and to shareholders. The source said: "The concern is he [Mr Marshall] is spending too much time trying to support shareholders, he's not trying to run the network."

Mr Byers told the Rail Passengers Council national conference earlier this week that he would support any action necessary to improve the flagging performance of Railtrack while it remained in administration.

The two most likely candidates who could step in as replacements already at Railtrack are Richard Middleton, the current engineering director, and Chris Leah, the safety director, but the administrators are said to be looking to recruit from outside as well as from within.