Under the radical plan control of rail infrastructure and services will pass to a new arm’s-length public body called Great British Railways.

Private operators will still be contracted to run most trains, but franchises will be replaced by contracts that will incentivise private firms on punctuality and efficiency rather than raising revenue.

The Williams-Shapps Plan to reform Britain’s railways envisages a management system that looks more like the Transport for London model, with multiple operators under one brand, bringing greater accountability while prioritising passengers and freight.

Network Rail, the current infrastructure owner, will be absorbed into this new organisation, as will many functions from the Rail Delivery Group and Department for Transport.

The Government will maintain planned £17.5bn spending for renewals, upgrades and enhancements of the existing network up to 2024.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “Great British Railways marks a new era in the history of our railways. It will become a single familiar brand with a bold new vision for passengers – of punctual services, simpler tickets and a modern and green railway that meets the needs of the nation.

“We will grow, not shrink, the network, continuing to invest tens of billions of pounds in new lines, trains, services and electrification.”

He added that the reforms would support delivery of a financially sustainable railway as the country recovers from coronavirus, with new contracts focused on punctuality and improved efficiency, making it easier and cheaper to plan maintenance, renewal and upgrades.