The government looks set to take more power over the railways.

Labour is expected to use today’s Queen's Speech to outline several important changes to transport policy including backing the Crossrail scheme for London, taking more control of the railways and boosting road safety.

In a white paper published last July transport secretary Alistair Darling said the government would take more direct control of railways in order to reduce bureaucracy and poor planning.

As a consequence, the Strategic Rail Authority will be scrapped and the majority of its functions transferred to the secretary of state.

Responsibility for railway safety will be transferred from the Health and Safety Executive to the Office of Rail Regulation, which would also be responsible for performance and cost.

As part of a wider transport strategy outlined in the white paper the government said some transport decision-making would be moved to more local level.

In future, the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales and passenger transport executives would take on increased responsibilities for passenger services and, where appropriate, infrastructure.

In London, the government intends to extend the mayor's responsibilities for rail services within the GLA boundary.

Crossrail

Darling has also announced he will introduce a hybrid bill "at the earliest opportunity" to take the powers necessary for Crossrail to be built.

The announcement followed a feasibility study led by Adrian Montague to evaluate the value and affordability of building the new route between east and west London.

The study backed the plans in principle but warned about rising costs.

Darling admitted that the funding remained a major challenge.

"The government will need to work with the mayor and the London business community to find a funding solution where everyone pays their fair share. That will include consulting on appropriate alternative funding mechanisms," he said.

A further consultation is looking at the proposed route linking Maidenhead and Heathrow with Shenfield and Ebbsfleet through new tunnels under central London.

Road Safety Bill

Today's Queen's Speech is also expected to include legislative measures to improve road safety.

According to the transport minister David Jamieson , the government is planning to introduce measures to deal with drink driving, including roadside evidential breath testing.

The government is also proposing variable fixed penalties and an increase in the range of penalty points from two to six.

The government also plans to improve driving standards and to deal with uninsured drivers by allowing the police to use automatic number plate reading technology.