More than 13 per cent of Network Rail members refused to back a bonus scheme that could see five senior directors in the rail group receive pay outs worth more than £1 million.

During a meeting in Glasgow yesterday, the dissenters said that the scheme was "totally inappropriate" and a "public relations disaster".

Sir Robert Smith, chairman of Network Rail's remuneration committee, said without the bonuses it would be almost impossible to retain and recruit management with the skills to improve the railways.