Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 25
25
Acknowledged
Department has not demonstrably embedded lessons learned into major rail programmes
Recommendation
We concluded in our 2021 progress update on Crossrail that the Department had still not demonstrated that it is embedding lessons learned into its major programmes.62 When we asked the Department again about learning lessons, the Department and HS2 Ltd told us that they are learning from Crossrail, such as around programme and system integration and that there is a clear audit trail demonstrating how lessons have been applied.63 The Department also believed that the earlier identification of problems at Euston compared to other rail programmes reflected how it is embedding learning into its projects.64
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation to embed lessons learned, stating it has a strong culture of learning from major rail programmes, works with the IPA, and applies lessons across HS2 phases through various initiatives, aiming for implementation by Summer 2025.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Summer 2025 6.2 The department has a strong culture of learning lessons from managing major rail programmes, which includes working with the Infrastructure and Projects Authority in order to learn lessons from Crossrail. The department made the decision not to proceed to full construction of Euston Station in the next two years due to affordability and profiling issues. It will continue to apply lessons learnt across phases of the HS2 programme. 6.3 A culture of lessons learned is actively encouraged within the department, and specific initiatives are promoted in the individual directorates running each part of the HS2 project, including a structured learning and development programme, peer-to-peer learning, mentoring, and shadowing and facilitated workshops. 6.4 As part of the Euston Reset Programme, the department is working to identify the cost drivers of the previous station cost estimate of £4.8 billion. High Speed Rail Group is learning from the more mature elements of the HS2 programme, including those from Birmingham Curzon Street and other major projects in the department's portfolio. These are being actively shared with projects that are less mature. 6.5 HS2 Ltd are undertaking work in order to understand the key cost drivers of the current station design and the reasons why the station cost increased following the move to a 10-platform single-stage build design in 2021. The department is also keen to understand appropriate lessons to enact as part of the Euston Reset Programme. Learning, both within the department and at HS2 Ltd will be shared with colleagues developing Manchester Piccadilly and Birmingham Curzon Street stations. 6.6 The department is working with delivery partners to complete the optioneering stage of the Euston Reset Programme. Once appropriate options have been identified, the department will undertake a sift process in which only solutions that are deliverable cross-campus will be considered.