9th Special Report - Rail technology: signalling and traffic management: Government response to the Committee's Seventh Report of Session 2016–17

This is the government's response, published 19 January 2017.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The Government states that it agrees with most of the Committee's recommendations and findings on digital signalling and traffic management, while noting that the roll-out of Rail Operating Centres is "a matter for Network Rail".

• On the Digital Railway business case, the Government "welcomes this recommendation" and will work with industry to establish "assured and comprehensive business cases" to support the programme.
• It agrees that business cases will include "a robust analysis of alternative options", and agrees that the case for digital railways should rest on "an affordable and deliverable technology".
• On funding outside the control period process, the Government agrees and "will consider" whether the Digital Railway (or elements of it) should be funded in that way.
• It states that the Autumn Statement allowed "an additional £450m in this Parliament to trial digital signalling technologies", and that a group of industry leaders will present recommendations "early in the new year".

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error