Deaths and injuries on the railways will probably increase if ministers press ahead with plans for a shake-up of the network, the chairman of the Health And Safety Commission has warned.

Transport secretary Alistair Darling is expected to remove the rail inspectorate from the Health And Safety Executive and switch it to the Office of the Rail Regulator.

Bill Callaghan said this could prejudice the protection of passengers and employees.

"People would be horrified if they thought the industry was going to get its own way on safety," he said.

"I'm sure inspectors would continue to do their excellent job, but they would be in a weaker position because the industry would be determining its own safety regulation."