Bosses of Railtrack successor body Network Rail (NR) remain on course to receive huge performance-related bonuses despite a strong attack on the pay-outs by "shareholders".

Top directors could receive as much as 60 per cent of their basic pay in bonuses should they meet tough performance targets in 2003-04.

Instead of shareholders the company has 114 members made up of members of the public and rail industry representatives.

In Glasgow yesterday a number of members spoke out.

But the company's remuneration policy was passed on a show of hands in spite of the vociferous opponents.

Mohammed Saheid, a private member, said: "The bonus system should be scrapped until such time that we can run a proper rail service and that will not be for years."

Another private member Hazel Prowse said: "I don't agree with any bonuses being paid for people just doing their own job."

NR non-executive director Sir Robert Smith said the company was required by the Strategic Rail Authority to have a bonus scheme in place.