The union was responding to reports that Mr Bowker was backtracking on his strategic plan announced earlier this year, by saying that network enhancements were contingent upon lowering industry costs and improving performance.

TSSA General Secretary Richard Rosser said: “We have consistently argued that instead of a succession of aspirational plans, what the industry needs is a rational, integrated structure.

“This crisis has occurred because of inadequate past investment and privatisation. Railtrack failed to maintain its infrastructure properly, partially because it was part of a fragmented industry were individual companies pursued their own corporate interests.

“Costs have exploded due to the ‘contractor culture’ – too much contracting out, too many consultants and too much bureaucracy needed to co-ordinate the disparate parts of a once fully integrated and more efficient system.

“Only structural reform will reduce costs. This combined with proper investment in network enhancement and new technology to increase capacity will raise performance.

“It not tenable for Richard Bowker to urge better cost control and performance without challenging the fundamental structure of the rail network, which is the root of the problem.

“He shouldn’t be revising his SRA plans, he should be telling Transport Secretary Alistair how to reintegrate the railway so his original plans can be delivered. The travelling public deserve no less.”