Network Rail could adopt a devolved regional structure with fewer train franchises, under proposals by a board member of the rail infrastructure company (link below.)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/feb/20/transport

Chris Green, a non-executive director at Network Rail, former chief executive of Virgin Trains and former managing director of NetworkSouthEast, said the company could be split into eight regions by the middle of the next decade.

The recommendation comes after Network Rail was widely criticised for the mismanagement of engineering work over the new year period, which disrupted the travel plans of 50,000 passengers a day.

Green's proposals for Network Rail will be outlined in a Politeia paper to be published later this week.