Tony Blair has ordered Lord Birt, his personal strategy adviser, to compile a secret report with "fresh long-term ideas" for tackling the country's transport chaos.

The brief for the former director-general of the BBC, reflects Downing Street's concern over growing voter anger at the state of the UK's rail and road network. Lord Birt has already produced drafts of "Understanding the realities", setting out in detail how far Britain's transport infrastructure has lagged behind other EU countries.