Passengers will be able to judge for themselves improvements to Britain's run-down railway system with a £30bn "route map", Downing Street said yesterday.

With the prospect of more crippling strikes on the horizon, the Prime Minister hopes that by the next general election the public will be able to see major improvements.

The ten-year strategic blueprint, drawn up by the Strategic Rail Authority, sets out plans for new rolling stock, extra services at peak times, and a revamp of every station - including new car parks and waiting rooms.

Major infrastructure projects are also expected, with an upgrade of the West Coast Mainline and other routes, a Train Protection Warning System by 2003, and plans for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

Mr Blair told BBC1's Breakfast With Frost: "Will the service improve past what was the British Rail standard if you like? Yes it will, once that new investment goes in.

"With the investment and the change going in, it will get better, but it will take time to do so."

He added: "Unless we renew fundamentally the railways infrastructure in this country, then we're not going to put the railways in the state people want them in."

Echoing his comments, the Prime Minister's spokesman said later: "We understand that there are real challenges here.

"But there is no better railways pill that the country can take which will cure over-night the neglect and failings of the last 20 or 30 years.

"It will take time. We are being realistic about the challenge ahead."

But Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said he found it staggering that Mr Blair was using British Rail as a benchmark.

He said: "The Prime Minister has made it clear to the British public that if the trains don't start running on time they have him to blame. He can no longer expect John Prescott, Stephen Byers or Railtrack to take responsibility."

Transport Secretary Mr Byers will outline the plans to MPs in Parliament today.

Anthony Smith, national director of the Rail Passengers Council, said: "For the first time we will have a proper plan which will give the first bit of hope to passengers in getting the rail system we need.

"But things aren't going to change overnight, and passengers want to see some action now."

It is thought that the SRA will announce today that about £430m will be spent on short-term improvements, while 1,700 new train carriages will be delivered by 2004 - signalling an end to the old slam-door rolling stock.

There will also be ideas for simpler franchise arrangements on routes into London, which are currently overcrowded.

It is understood that much of the overall money available will be spent on schemes in and around the capital.

The SRA's new chairman, former Virgin Rail executive Richard Bowker, is said to be keen on improving the calibre of people working in the rail industry through better staff training.

Fury over axe - Page 11