The transport secretary has outlined plans to scrap the Strategic Rail Authority and devolve more power over the railways to the regions.

Train companies will be prevented from adding extra services and will be able to expand only by packing more passengers on to existing services. Network Rail will be able to axe trains that interfere with its duty to maintain tracks.

Setting out the details of a white paper, Darling said that SRA chief Richard Bowker would stand down in September, with the agency likely to be closed in the second half of next year.

Bowker said his staff had ensured that "Britain's railway is now rehabilitated and ready for real delivery to passengers and investors alike".