Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee

Recommendation 26

26 Accepted Paragraph: 111

Rail upgrades disrupt commuters, rail freight and timetabling.

Conclusion
Rail upgrades disrupt commuters, rail freight and timetabling. Disruption to existing services caused by upgrades to key rail lines may drive a modal shift from rail to car, which would work against the Government’s decarbonisation goals.
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the rationale and states that mitigation measures will be done on a project-by-project basis, with work already underway on TRU and HS2, managed through environmental controls and a Community Engagement Strategy.
Paragraph Reference: 111
Government Response Accepted
HM Government Accepted
The Government accepts the rationale for this recommendation. Given the different stages of development work and timing of construction for individual schemes, this will be done on a project-by-project basis. Work on detailed mitigation is already underway, for example on TRU and HS2. For HS2 this is managed through a range of environmental controls, including a comprehensive Code of Construction Practice. Consultation with communities and stakeholders is undertaken in accordance with the HS2 Community Engagement Strategy which sets out core principles to inform, involve, consult and respond, and implemented on the ground through community engagement teams, a 24hr helpline, escalation routes, Commissioners, and construction inspectors).