Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee
Recommendation 7
7
Paragraph: 54
Decarbonisation of the rail network over the next generation will require moving from diesel traction...
Conclusion
Decarbonisation of the rail network over the next generation will require moving from diesel traction to cleaner technologies, such as electrification, battery, and hydrogen. We agree with the Department and industry experts that electrification is the only immediately viable decarbonisation option for most of the network, not least because the alternatives are not suitable for freight and high-speed services due to their high energy demands.
Paragraph Reference:
54
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government partially agrees with this recommendation. The Department is developing a TDP and a Rail Environment Policy (REP) document. Taken together, these will set the Government’s long-term strategic direction for decarbonising the railway between now and 2050 and our intended carbon reduction pathway. A comprehensive environment plan for the rail network will be published by 2022 and will form a key part of the 30-year strategy for the railway. Through the Network Rail-led Traction Decarbonisation Network Strategy (TDNS), Network Rail and industry have developed a vision for what the technological mix of trains operating on the railway could look like in 2050, based on today’s technology. While TDNS offers one such technological vision, further bottom-up analysis and discussion will be required for each part of the network as those technologies continue to evolve to ensure that we implement the most appropriate decarbonisation solution on each part of the network, including looking closely at affordability and value for money.