The operator of Kent rail services will be among the first to be forced to team up with Network Rail in a radical government overhaul of the system.

Transport secretary Chris Grayling says he wants closer working between operators and Network Rail, ending the current division of responsibility where services are run by one and tracks and infrastucture by another.

The news signals the end of the divide between those who run trains and Network Rail and will mean that when the new franchise for the Kent network - which could be Southeastern - starts in 2018, it will be as a joint team.

Mr Grayling said the reforms would herald a “Golden era” for train services but critics say it will mean wholesale privatisation.

He said: "We want to see closer working across the industry, to resolve problems more quickly – putting the needs of the passenger first. When things go wrong, a lack of a joined up approach can make things much worse for the passenger."

He added: "I intend to start bringing back together the operation of track and train on our railways.

"Our railway is much better run by one joined up team of people. They don’t have to work for the same company. They do have to work in the same team."

Plans for better operation of track and train across the rail network will be achieved through the new integrated rail franchises.

The first of the new franchises to be let will be on the South Eastern and East Midlands lines, which will be expected to include integrated operating teams between train services and infrastructure.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: "Passengers want to see a more joined up railway with trains and track companies working much more closely.

"So these proposals, in time, could make a positive difference to the things passengers care most about: reliability and value for money."

Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group which represents train operators and Network Rail, added: "Everyone in the railway wants to transform services for our customers, including better reliability.

"The Secretary of State is setting out a positive vision that we can all support, and one that together we want to make work. We need to ensure that every part of our railway is more joined-up and working closer together – one railway pulling in the same direction.

"Effectively-managed teams focussed on the same objectives will resolve problems and make progress more quickly.

"We will work with the government to make sure that we meet customers’ needs and expectations, finding new ways of working and new sources of investment for vital improvements as we build the bigger, better railway that Britain needs."