A government strategy to revitalise Britain's ailing rail network has been published in the Strategic Rail Authority's 10-year plan.

The strategic plan, containing a detailed timetable for improvement and a £400 million fund to pay for special projects, calls for the automatic train protection system to be introduced by next year and 1700 new carriages to be delivered by 2004.

Forum Response: Association of Train Operating Companies

Director General of ATOC, George Muir, told ePolitix.com: "Passengers know there are no quick fixes, but at last we have a coherent long term plan with proper funding and timescales. The whole industry, train operators, Railtrack and suppliers, will pull together to deliver it."

Forum Response: First Group

A spokesman for the First Group told ePolitix.com: "We welcome the whole thrust of today's announcement which promises to give the network a much needed shake up.

"We wholeheartedly support the SRA's proposals for consolidation and rationalisation and welcome the £430 million performance fund and extra investment in the industry. At last train operators can see where the industry is going and plan for the future.

"In particular, we look forward to the consolidation plans involving First Great Eastern and Liverpool St Station and those involving First Great Western and Paddington."