Railtrack came under fire this week for spending £225m on consultants and temporary staff last year.
Reports said a large proportion of the £225m sum was used to employ consultants such as engineers, QSs and project managers, especially for big infrastructure projects. Railtrack refused to comment on the claims.

The report, by the Financial Times, claimed the outsourcing system was abused by consultants, which are paid by the day.

This has led to a call by shadow transport secretary Tim Collins for far fewer consultants to be used.

Network Rail, the not-for-profit body that is to take over from Railtrack, is understood to be looking at overhauling the system. John Armitt, former Costain chief executive, is believed to have been shocked by the number of consultants used when he took over as chief executive of Railtrack earlier this year.

  • Railtrack arm Railtrack Property has joined forces with housebuilders Linden and Laing on developments in St Albans, Hertfordshire, and Cambridge. Linden and Railtrack are to build 350 homes on a car park site next to St Albans train station. The Laing project is for two housing developments in the Hills Road and Station Road areas of Cambridge.