£21bn for rail maintenance and enhancement

There is a "serious shortage of capacity in some areas" of Britain's rail network, the chair of the Office of Rail Regulation has said.

The regulator publishes a report every five years, setting out how much Network Rail can spend, and whether the operator meets its own targets.

Speaking to the Today programme's business presenter Simon Jack, Anna Walker outlined how £21bn would be spent from 2014-2019.

Plans include better maintenance of the current network, and £12bn for "major enhancement projects", such as lengthening platforms, electrification, and the closure of some high-risk level crossings.

Ms Walker said the rail operator would have to work more efficiently to save £1.7bn as they carried out enhancement programme.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Thursday 31st October 2013.