Recommendations & Conclusions
13 items
3
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Trains fit for the futur…
Accepted in Part
While we recognise the immediate challenges brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, we are concerned about the frequent delays to the publication of the Department’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan and the Rail Reform White Paper based on the Williams Review. These delays have unfortunately compounded the difficulties for the rail industry …
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While we recognise the immediate challenges brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, we are concerned about the frequent delays to the publication of the Department’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan and the Rail Reform White Paper based on the Williams Review. These delays have unfortunately compounded the difficulties for the rail industry to plan and invest in the development of a carbon- free railway.
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Government response AI summary
The government "partially agrees" with the implied need to address delays, stating it is developing a Transport Decarbonisation Plan (TDP) and Rail Environment Policy (REP), and will publish a comprehensive environment plan for the rail network by 2022.
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Department for Transport
4
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Trains fit for the futur…
Accepted in Part
We recommend that the Department for Transport publishes a long-term strategy for decarbonising the rail network as a matter of priority. This should include a vision for what proportion of the future network will use electrification, battery and hydrogen. That strategy should be supported by appropriate costings, a credible delivery …
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We recommend that the Department for Transport publishes a long-term strategy for decarbonising the rail network as a matter of priority. This should include a vision for what proportion of the future network will use electrification, battery and hydrogen. That strategy should be supported by appropriate costings, a credible delivery plan, and enabling targets and milestones. These targets and milestones should clarify how the 2040 and 2050 targets will fit together.
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, stating they are developing a Traction Decarbonisation Plan (TDP) and Rail Environment Policy (REP) document to set a long-term strategic direction, with a comprehensive environment plan to be published by 2022. They note the Network Rail-led Traction Decarbonisation Network Strategy (TDNS) …
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Department for Transport
5
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Trains fit for the futur…
Accepted in Part
Dedicated investment over the long-term will be essential in order to meet the considerable challenge of decarbonising the rail network by 2050. There will be understandable pressures on public spending in the coming years as the country recovers from the pandemic. However, measures to decarbonise our transport sector ought to …
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Dedicated investment over the long-term will be essential in order to meet the considerable challenge of decarbonising the rail network by 2050. There will be understandable pressures on public spending in the coming years as the country recovers from the pandemic. However, measures to decarbonise our transport sector ought to be considered a Government priority.
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, indicating they are developing a Traction Decarbonisation Plan (TDP) and Rail Environment Policy (REP) to set their long-term strategic direction for decarbonising the railway and will publish a comprehensive environment plan by 2022.
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Department for Transport
9
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Trains fit for the futur…
Accepted in Part
We understand that rail electrification project costs are monitored by the Department and Network Rail as part of the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline process. Any overspend would be flagged by that process. The financial failures of previous electrification programmes caused work to cease. It is vital that the future electrification …
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We understand that rail electrification project costs are monitored by the Department and Network Rail as part of the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline process. Any overspend would be flagged by that process. The financial failures of previous electrification programmes caused work to cease. It is vital that the future electrification programmes are subject to a new cost discipline, with robust and rigorous financial controls that enable electrification to be successfully delivered to budget.
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Government response AI summary
The government "partially agrees", stating it has already introduced robust financial mechanisms like the RNEP process following past cost challenges. It notes a review of financial governance is underway within Network Rail and commits to continuing to enhance processes where necessary to ensure lessons are …
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Department for Transport
10
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Trains fit for the futur…
Accepted in Part
We recommend that the Department implements an enhanced financial mechanism beyond that contained in the Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline process. That enhanced financial mechanism must be designed to ensure that strict transparency and adherence to cost discipline are maintained in any electrification programme.
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We recommend that the Department implements an enhanced financial mechanism beyond that contained in the Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline process. That enhanced financial mechanism must be designed to ensure that strict transparency and adherence to cost discipline are maintained in any electrification programme.
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, stating that robust financial mechanisms including RNEP were already introduced, and while agreeing in principle to financial transparency, a review of financial governance is underway within Network Rail, with commitments to continue enhancing processes where necessary.
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Department for Transport
11
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Trains fit for the futur…
Accepted in Part
As recommended by our predecessor Committee in 2018, the best way to deliver efficient and cost-effective electrification is to establish a rolling programme of electrification over the next 30 years. A rolling programme of electrification should also support the delivery of the Government’s “green industrial revolution” and “levelling up” economic …
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As recommended by our predecessor Committee in 2018, the best way to deliver efficient and cost-effective electrification is to establish a rolling programme of electrification over the next 30 years. A rolling programme of electrification should also support the delivery of the Government’s “green industrial revolution” and “levelling up” economic disparities between the regions. The task of decarbonisation belongs to successive governments, but this administration must take the first steps towards meeting the 2050 “net zero” target.
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, committing to endeavour to deliver a 30-year pipeline of electrification schemes but will ensure proper development through the RNEP process before committing to individual projects, balancing certainty for the industry with affordability and value for money.
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Department for Transport
12
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Trains fit for the futur…
Accepted in Part
We recommend that the Department commits to a 30-year rolling programme of electrification projects and sets this out in its long-term rail decarbonisation strategy.
Government response AI summary
The government "partially agrees", committing to "endeavour to deliver" a visible pipeline of electrification schemes over the next 30 years. However, it qualifies this by emphasizing that schemes must be properly developed through the RNEP process to ensure affordability and value for money before commitment.
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Department for Transport
13
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Trains fit for the futur…
Accepted in Part
The scale of change required to meet the 2040 and 2050 rail decarbonisation targets is considerable. We believe it would be beneficial to start the electrification programme as soon as possible, rather than wait for the start of the next control period in 2024. This would also enable the industry …
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The scale of change required to meet the 2040 and 2050 rail decarbonisation targets is considerable. We believe it would be beneficial to start the electrification programme as soon as possible, rather than wait for the start of the next control period in 2024. This would also enable the industry to retain the workforce skills and experience it has developed through recent electrification schemes.
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, committing to endeavour to deliver a 30-year pipeline of electrification schemes but will not start immediately, prioritising proper development through the RNEP process to ensure affordability and value for money.
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Department for Transport
15
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Trains fit for the futur…
Accepted in Part
In responding to this Report, if not earlier, the Department should publish the list of “no regret” electrification schemes identified by Network Rail and confirm which schemes they intend to deliver as a priority, the costs of doing so, and the timeframes. (Paragraph 62) Alternative decarbonisation technologies
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In responding to this Report, if not earlier, the Department should publish the list of “no regret” electrification schemes identified by Network Rail and confirm which schemes they intend to deliver as a priority, the costs of doing so, and the timeframes. (Paragraph 62) Alternative decarbonisation technologies
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, providing an interim "no regret" electrification analysis as an annex, but clarifies it is superseded and full details on prioritised schemes, costs, and timeframes will be published through the updated RNEP process.
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Department for Transport
19
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Trains fit for the futur…
Accepted in Part
Although the rail industry requires a long-term strategy for decarbonising the rail network, it is important that the strategy is sufficiently flexible to incorporate alternative technologies, such as hydrogen and battery, and other new technologies that might be developed. When and if it is demonstrated that clean, green and cost- …
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Although the rail industry requires a long-term strategy for decarbonising the rail network, it is important that the strategy is sufficiently flexible to incorporate alternative technologies, such as hydrogen and battery, and other new technologies that might be developed. When and if it is demonstrated that clean, green and cost- effective alternatives to electrification can deliver the energy required by freight and high-speed passenger services, they should be introduced to decarbonise the rail network.
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, stating they are developing a Traction Decarbonisation Plan (TDP) and Rail Environment Policy (REP) document to set a long-term strategy, with a comprehensive environment plan to be published by 2022. They acknowledge the need for further analysis as technologies evolve to …
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Department for Transport
23
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Trains fit for the futur…
Accepted in Part
We welcome Government funding to support the establishment of the Global Centre of Rail Excellence, which is a positive step in decarbonising the rail network. However, we heard evidence that the amount of research and development funding provided by Government for innovation in the rail sector compares unfavourably to other …
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We welcome Government funding to support the establishment of the Global Centre of Rail Excellence, which is a positive step in decarbonising the rail network. However, we heard evidence that the amount of research and development funding provided by Government for innovation in the rail sector compares unfavourably to other transport sectors. This will need to change if the rail sector is to meet the considerable challenge of decarbonising by 2050. R&D funding can help to catalyse the development of new technologies and support smaller businesses and local economies.
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, highlighting existing significant R&D support and plans to simplify funding and improve collaboration under the Williams-Shapps White Paper. Great British Railways will become the primary public funder of R&D, aligning funding with long-term investment strategies and private sector innovators.
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Department for Transport
24
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Trains fit for the futur…
Accepted in Part
We recommend that the Department’s long-term rail decarbonisation strategy sets out how research and development will be supported and properly funded in order to deliver the scale of change required to decarbonise the rail network.(Paragraph 103) Making trains fully accessible
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We recommend that the Department’s long-term rail decarbonisation strategy sets out how research and development will be supported and properly funded in order to deliver the scale of change required to decarbonise the rail network.(Paragraph 103) Making trains fully accessible
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, stating significant R&D support is ongoing and will be simplified through the Williams-Shapps White Paper. Great British Railways will become the primary public funder of R&D, with closer alignment to long-term investment strategies and stronger links with private sector innovators.
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Department for Transport
26
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Trains fit for the futur…
Accepted in Part
The Department must set out how it will ensure that train operators meet the legal requirement to make their trains fully accessible and what sanctions will be used if some train operators once again fail to meet the deadline. We will monitor this situation closely. (Paragraph 110) Trains fit for …
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The Department must set out how it will ensure that train operators meet the legal requirement to make their trains fully accessible and what sanctions will be used if some train operators once again fail to meet the deadline. We will monitor this situation closely. (Paragraph 110) Trains fit for the futuree 37
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Government response AI summary
The Department is committed to ensuring accessibility, stating 97% of trains are compliant and the remaining 3% will be removed from service or used only with compliant vehicles. Operators are prioritizing compliant trains and implementing operational mitigations, but the response does not explicitly detail sanctions …
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Department for Transport