Railtrack shareholders will have to wait a little longer to learn details of a rescue package for the company.
An announcement of a Stg£500 million deal to buy Railtrack out of administration was expected today.
Sticking points over the sale of the first phase of the Channel Tunnel high-speed rail link have scuppered chances of an announcement.
A Department of Transport spokeswoman, said: "This is a complex set of commercial transactions and the Government and all parties believe they will be resolved shortly."
The buy-out package is expected to involve a not-for-profit company, Network Rail, taking over from Railtrack PLC, which was forced into administration last October. Its shares were suspended at 280p.
The deal is expected to give shareholders around 250p for each share.
It will also see London and Continental Railways paying £295 million for the first phase of the Railtrack-owned Channel Tunnel high-speed rail link, with Network Rail paying £80 million to operate and maintain the link.
A Railtrack statement said: "Railtrack Group would like to clarify its position in regard to the resumption of trading in its shares on the UK Stock Exchange.
"Despite speculation in the media, trading in Railtrack Group shares will not start on Monday June 24.
"Certain issues are still outstanding, some of which could have prevented cash being returned to shareholders within an acceptable timescale. This has caused the board to delay signing the contracts for the sale of Railtrack PLC and the Group's interests in the Channel Tunnel Rail Link."
PA