The chairman of the Rail Passengers Council last night claimed that Britain's railways are now worse than in the immediate aftermath of the Hatfield rail crash.

Speaking at the conference of passenger groups and executives of the industry, Stewart Francis said: "Railtrack is responsible for the frontline implementation of many rail safety issues. The next few months are going to become a very trying time."

Transport secretary Stephen Byers acknowledged that placing Railtrack in administration had caused "shock and surprise".