Britain's fractured rail network came under fire in the latest report into its structure and safety which was published yesterday.

In his final report of the inquiry into the Paddington disaster, Lord Cullen criticised the current state of the railway infrastructure and called for a new independent safety body to investigate accidents. The new body would be established along similar lines to the air accident investigations board.

Lord Cullen also calls for the creation of a new independent rail industry safety body to undertake the development of railway standards, provide safety leadership in the industry and sponsor research and development.

Stephen Byers, the transport secretary, said that legislation would be introduced to create the two new bodies. The government hopes to produce a draft bill by the end of the year, and aims to secure its passage from next October.