RAILTRACK'S new boss admitted Britain's rail infrastructure wasn't up to scratch last night and pledged to put things right.

John Robinson, a regular traveller on the main line, pledged to make the beleaguered rail network "world class" within ten years.

But his first task was to tackle the confusion surrounding railway bridge safety, highlighted by a special Northern Echo investigation carried out in the wake of the Selby rail disaster.

The investigation of bridges crossing the East Coast Main Line, which was carried out by our reporters, revealed the dangerous state of the structures and their approaches in the North-East.

In many cases, local highways authorities have been left to foot the cost of any vital repairs and argue about the bill with Railtrack.

The Northern Echo has now called upon Mr Robinson and Railtrack to organise an urgent meeting with the region's local authorities in a bid to thrash out a clear strategy on safety.

A dossier of recent published articles has also been sent to Mr Robinson's new office in London.

Editor Peter Barron said: "Railtrack is the guardian of the country's railway infrastructure and it should take the lead on all matters of safety."

Durham County Council, which has carried out a survey of railway bridges in the county, has called for Railtrack to clarify its responsibility.

Spokesman Fraser Davie said: "We would welcome any move that brings about a swift resolution of the safety issues that have been highlighted by our survey."

Mr Robinson, who has homes in Hull and London, told a press conference yesterday that he had suffered his "fair share of frustrations" when it came to travelling on the railway.

He told a press conference: "I am a regular rail user and have had my fair share of frustrations. More than most, probably."

The former chief executive of medical devices firm Smith & Nephew is due to replace retiring Railtrack chairman Sir Philip Beck.

He said: "I intend to lead the Railtrack team towards the goal of building a world-leading railway network in the long term.

"We have a ten year target - which is ambitious - but we have to work towards it and restore people's confidence in the network."