Network Rail has said that 4000 miles of track is overdue for replacement.

The successor to Railtrack said on Monday that it will take a decade to complete the backlog of repairs.

Forum Response: ATOC

George Muir, director general for ATOC, said: "Train operators welcome the broad thrust of the Network Rail Business Plan for 2003 - including the new maintenance programme, the creation of the 18 locally focused area delivery groups, and the realism in highlighting the massive backlog in track renewals built up over the past 12 years.

"A forecast 21 per cent reduction in delay minutes over the next three years will only go part of the way to reversing the worsening there has been in the past three years.

"Train operators will work together with Network Rail to reduce more substantially the level of delays to passengers."

Forum Response: Virgin Trains

A spokesman for Virgin Trains told ePolitix.com: "We welcome the work that Network Rail announced, particularly the lessening of the number of speed restrictions. This allows rail companies to maintain and improve the reliability of services.

"The scope of work is tremendous. Network Rail have called for patience on the part of all rail users. Clearly we welcome any rail improvements as soon as possible."