Source · Select Committees · Welsh Affairs Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Paragraph: 75
While we welcome the positive working relationship between the Welsh and UK governments on rail...
Recommendation
While we welcome the positive working relationship between the Welsh and UK governments on rail infrastructure projects, we are concerned that the UK Government’s Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline (RNEP) is too slow and hampers, rather than helps, the evaluation of infrastructure proposals. In response to this report we recommend that the UK Government should set out its plans to reform RNEP with a view to accelerating the delivery of projects in Wales.
Paragraph Reference:
75
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The UK Government agrees with these recommendations in part. Together with their industry partners in Wales, DfT has undertaken a review of the governance arrangements applicable to the development and delivery of railway enhancements. The Welsh Government and TfW have confirmed that they value the role of the Great Western & Wales Programme Board, in managing the funding arrangements and integration considerations for schemes under the RNEP, and we intend that this should continue. DfT recognizes the potential benefits identified by the Committee of a dedicated forum to develop a shared vision and a prioritised set of proposals for rail infrastructure improvement and investment to deliver improvements for passengers in Wales and propose to establish a senior-level Board with this remit. The Board will comprise director- level representation from Welsh Government, DfT, TfW, Network Rail, and other train operators serving passengers in Wales. Terms of Reference are under discussion with a view to holding an initial meeting of this Board at the earliest opportunity in the current calendar year. The Terms of Reference will include aspects relevant to the establishment of working arrangements between Great British Railways (GBR) and TfW under rail reform proposals. Our governance review has also identified the need for additional resource to steer the delivery of RNEP enhancement schemes and we propose to establish a Programme Delivery Group as a sub-body of the Great Western & Wales Programme Board in support of this. The existing Programme Board and the new forums will work closely with TfW’s Metro Development Strategy Boards and the industry partners will ensure a cohesive and collaborative approach to the development of rail infrastructure in Wales, delivering additional benefits to passengers and supporting economic growth.