The House of Commons Transport Committee has raised a few issues with new railway legislation proposed by the EU.

While welcoming Europe's plans to liberalise domestic rail industries in order to promote greater cross-border travel, MPs are worried that some of the terms laid out by the European Commission will be overly restrictive.

The committee is specifically concerned that the rules will prohibit joint work between Network Rail and train operators and that the idea of separating infrastructure and service operators should not apply to light railways and metro systems.

In addition to this, the group feels the annual threshold for rail franchises has been set too high.

"We are not persuaded that the legislation should dictate the responsibilities for the drafting of public transport plans; such responsibilities should be for national (or local) governments to decide," a report published by the committee stated.

The UK's railway industry is being overhauled, with new rail franchising plans being mooted and ambitious plans for a new high-speed service being unveiled.

With so many exciting changes afoot, it is understandable that MPs are worried that the EU may hinder progress.