Recommendation 22

The Department acknowledged that long-term, strategic direction on electrification is needed to provide market certainty for operators, rolling stock companies and the procurement of trains that will be able to operate on the network and to drive innovation. It also recognised that its erratic approach had resulted in “some extremely inefficient outcomes in terms of cost”.56 Written evidence we received highlighted that the Department’s piecemeal approach to electrification projects to date has caused serious boom and bust problems in the supply chain and for SMEs involved in electrification projects. A consistent and rolling programme of electrification projects would help retain the skills and capability required for such projects and help drive down costs overall.57 Network Rail’s efficiencies