Network Rail bosses forego bonuses

The chief executive and other directors of Network Rail (NR) have decided to give up their bonuses and allocate the money to safety improvements instead.

They were under increasing pressure following the row over bonuses for banking and other bosses.

The issue was due to be discussed on Friday at a meeting which Transport Secretary Justine Greening said that she would be attending to vote against any extra payments.

NR chairman Rick Haythornthwaite said: "The issue of annual performance payments would only arise if Network Rail surpassed stretching performance thresholds and would only be decided in May after the end of the financial year."

Chief executive Sir David Higgins said: "Even if this situation does arise this year, I and my directors decided last week that we would forego any entitlement and instead allocate the money to the safety improvement fund for level crossings. I can confirm that remains our intention."

Downing Street said that Ms Greening would be putting forward proposals for reform of Network Rail's governance structures.