Transport Minister Lord Adonis blasts Network Rail over weekend closures

THE Transport Minister has blasted Network Rail after it closed down major routes linking London with Scotland and the north during the same weekends.

The west and east coast lines have been shut over the past two weekends, prompting Lord Adonis to write to Iain Coucher, chief executive of the rail operator. He accused Network Rail of "serious failure to take account of passenger interests" and making "misleading" promises.

Lord Adonis has demanded an urgent meeting to prevent a repeat. Network Rail said it had responded to Lord Adonis and would next week publish initiatives to reduce disruption.