Commuters face more rail misery

Rail passengers were bussed from Glasgow to Carlisle

Railtrack boss Gerald Corbett has warned passengers they can expect an "extremely difficult week" as safety checks are carried out on Britain's rail network.

Thousands of rail users face three days of disruption and delays after Railtrack closed the Scottish West Coast main line for safety checks.

The line has been closed between Glasgow and Carlisle to allow engineers to examine the line, where minor cracks have been found.

The closures came after Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott ordered the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to conduct an urgent review of Railtrack's work to repair broken rails.

Railtrack boss Gerald Corbett has warned of an "extremely difficult week" ahead

On Wednesday morning, Virgin trains between Milton Keynes and Rugby were also re-routed via Northampton, because there were so many speed restrictions on that stretch of track.

The diversion added an extra 40 minutes to already extended journey times.

The sudden closure of the West Coast main line was met with dismay by passengers and a Downing Street spokesman said the way the situation had been dealt with had not been "ideal".

There are now an estimated 150 speed restrictions across the whole network.

Mr Corbett described the situation as "unacceptable", but warned of further disruption ahead for passengers.

Rail companies angry

"It is going to be an extremely difficult week for them. We are now going to have to blitz the network and run it for safety."

On BBC Radio 4's Today programme he defended the decision of local managers in Scotland who closed the line.

The departures board at Glasgow held little comfort for travellers

"Of course, in the short term that is going to be awful for passengers, but our local people have the accountability for safety and if they get it wrong and make the wrong judgement, they can get prosecuted."

Scottish Transport Minister Sarah Boyack said she will be discussing the Railtrack closures in Scotland when she meets with its local executives on Monday.

Rail companies were angered by the short notice of the decision to close the line in Scotland, which meant that many passengers were left stranded on Tuesday night.

Railtrack's Scottish asset manager Jim Bellingham said the decision to shut the line, which was taken in Scotland, had not been made lightly, and that staggering the safety tests would have caused longer-term disruption.

Speed restrictions were already introduced

He said it was possible the track could be opened within the three day deadline.

Train operator ScotRail was "enraged" by the track closure.

Its managing director Alastair McPherson said: "We are Railtrack's biggest customer and if this is their idea of customer service it certainly isn't mine."

He promised refunds to all those inconvenienced by the sudden closures.

Broken rail

Passengers on Virgin services are being taken by bus to Carlisle and then onwards by train.

Managers on the other main London-Scotland service - East Coast Main Line - warned passengers not to switch to their route because their trains are full and subject to speed restrictions.

A broken rail is believed to have caused last Tuesday's derailment at Hatfield in Hertfordshire, in which four people were killed and more than 30 injured.

Passengers are being told to call 08457 484950 for further information on affected services.