THE RMT rail union has criticised the level of foreign ownership in Britain’s railways.

It said 70 per cent of all private rail contracts were now partially or wholly owned from abroad following the involvement of Italian state operator Trenitalia in the C2C franchise.

The union highlighted the picture up and down the country and cited German involvement in operators of the Cross Country, Northern and Tyne and Wear Metro routes, among others.

Two major routes in this region which remain in British hands include Virgin East Coast, a 10/90 per cent split between Virgin and Stagecoach and Transpennine, whose operator is owned by First Group.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “Privatisation has failed passengers and the public by hitting their pockets and providing poor service and left foreign state train operators laughing all the way to the bank.

"The case for public ownership of UK rail to end this racket is now overwhelming."