Darling takes control of railways after clash over poor service

The Transport Secretary, Alistair Darling, has clashed with Britain's rail chief over ramshackle train services.

Mr Darling has taken over many of the responsibilities of John Spellar, the Transport minister, and has warned Richard Bowker, chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority, that too many trains are still dirty, unpunctual and unreliable and that there is no immediate sign of substantial and sustained improvement.

The Transport Secretary is deeply concerned that the figures supplied to the Government on the multibillion-pound modernisation of the west coast main line do not "stack up" and that the project could become a perpetual drain on the industry.

Mr Darling said he wanted to get a grip and has ordered a review of the whole franchise process. He is understood to be disturbed by Mr Bowker's conviction that train companies need not be given lengthy franchises to ensure long-term investment.

Mr Darling has asked the SRA to give him "something positive" to reveal at next week's Labour Party conference. The only announcement Mr Darling will be able to make will be that Railtrack is expected to come out of administration on 1 October.