Shadow transport secretary Maria Eagle said it was not appropriate that the investigation will be carried by a DfT non-executive director.

BBC: West Coast Main Line bid probe 'must be external'

An independent report last year by Sam Laidlaw - chief executive of Centrica, the owner of British Gas - found there was a "damning failure" by the DfT that led to ministers - who had not been told about flaws in the bidding process - awarding the contract after being given inaccurate reports.

BBC: West Coast Main Line fiasco caused by 'major failures'

Mr Laidlaw, who is a non-executive director of the DfT, is due to give evidence to the House of Commons transport committee next week.

BBC: Rail line

His review of the "unacceptable mistakes" by officials during the tendering process will be carried out by Sam Laidlaw, who is the chief executive of Centrica and a non-executive director of the DfT.

BBC: West Coast Main Line bid probe 'must be external'

The decision to build a manufacturing plant was taken after Hitachi Rail Europe won the contract with the Department for Transport (DfT) to replace the ageing fleet of diesel-powered Intercity trains.

BBC: Artist's impression of new plant

The transport secretary then praised the work done by his DfT staff, saying he had a team of "first-class civil servants doing a tough job".

BBC: West Coast rail: MPs not 'deliberately misled'

The Department for Transport (DfT) said it would also include a clampdown on drug-driving and the closing of loopholes that allow people to escape drink-driving charges.

BBC: Fines planned for careless driving

Passenger numbers, and equally importantly cargo, are forecast by the Department for Transport (DfT) to resume their steady growth after what has been a four-year recession-induced hiatus.

BBC: The great London airport debate