Upgrades to the East Coast Main Line could be shelved as Railtrack today revealed the depth of its financial crisis.
The embattled network operator is demanding at least £2bn from taxpayers to repair Britain's crumbling railways but industry experts believe the company could go cap in hand to the public for as much as £6bn or could even go bust without financial aid.
The other option is to abandon major projects, which could include the much-needed upgrade to the London to Inverness line, which runs through York.
The Strategic Rail Authority is said to be furious that Railtrack rewarded shareholders with dividends while at the same time asking for more cash.
Updated: 11:06 Friday, May 25, 2001
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