French train operator SNCF is facing a mounting bill for trains that have proved to be too wide for many regional platforms.

The 2,000 vehicles it has ordered at a cost of €15 billion (£12.1 billion) have so far left the train operator facing a bill of €50 million. Extensive work needs to be carried out to modify the platforms to accommodate the trains and work is already underway at many sites. In total, 1,000 platforms may need to be upgraded. 

National operator RFF is believed to have given the wrong dimensions to SCNF. RFF based its figures on platforms built 30 years ago but many of those constructed in previous decades are a different size.

"We discovered the problem a bit late, we recognise that and we accept responsibility on that score," Christophe Piednoel told France Info radio.

Transport minister Frederic Cuvillier blamed an "absurd rail system" for the problem, claiming the problem has arisen as a result of separating train companies from the operator.