BRITAIN’S biggest rail union has ridiculed plans to splurge £90 million of taxpayer’s cash on boosting wireless internet signals instead of “critical” safety measures.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin yesterday promised an end to “frustrating” mobile phone reception and load times when using trains’ free wifi in England and Wales.

“Passengers expect and deserve better and with these plans, that is what they’ll get,” he said.

But RMT acting general secretary Mick Cash was appalled, as funding for the project would be drawn in part from a multimillion-pound penalty levied against Network Rail for missing punctuality targets.

Mr Cash said the fine would effectively strip “safety critical maintenance and renewals budgets” in order to subsidise a luxury for private companies.

“Safety and reliability on the tracks will be compromised with the rip-off train companies once again getting a free ride.

“This is a total con trick instigated by the government that will come back to haunt the travelling public,” he said.