Recommendation 7

We recommend that the Government commission an independent review of the beginning of Control Period 7 in comparison to the beginning of previous Control Periods. The review should also survey the volatility of spend within Control Periods, identify whether this is systemic, and consider whether they could be better managed to smooth the flow of work. It should seek early lessons from the new partnership model being pursued in the Southern region, and consider whether more certainty could be provided on a five-year rolling basis. This review should be published in advance of the establishment of Great British Railways, so that the new organisation is able to act on key findings from the outset. (Recommendation, Paragraph 59)