Source · National Audit Office

The Transpennine Route Upgrade Programme

Published: 20 Jul 2022 Recommendations: 5 Type: Value for Money NAO confirmed: 5 Department: Department for Transport

This study will assess whether the Department and Network Rail’s are in a position to deliver the Transpennine Route Upgrade successfully.

Dept: Department for Transport Topics: Managing major projectsProject and service deliveryRailRisk and resilienceRisk managementTransport nao.org.uk →

Recommendations

5 items

4 accepted 1 partially accepted 3 implemented 2 in progress

Rec	Recommendation	Addressee	Acceptance	Implementation
1	The Department and Network Rail should review their business case approvals strategy and how this will manage the uncertainty in design and cost from projects still at an early stage. The strategy should include setting out what the focus of future update approvals will be to reduce the risk of scope changes being introduced back into the Programme. Ref Page 12, Paragraph 21, point a · Implemented 06/2023	Department for Transport; Network Rail	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO
2	The Department and Network Rail should include in their next business case update in December 2022: ? their rolling stock strategy for the Programme, including the level of funding required to achieve planned benefits, the expected funding commitment from the Department and the implications of any funding gap; ? an update on the effectiveness of its new governance arrangements and operating model and establish future review points for its governance and commercial arrangements; ? the likely extent of the financial risk posed by inflationary pressures and confirm how this will be funded and managed between the Department, Network Rail and HM Treasury; ? how they will incorporate the lessons learned they have identified from other major programmes into their management of the Programme; and ? how the Programme will be integrated with the wider Northern Powerhouse Rail programme Ref Page 12, Paragraph 21, point b · Implemented 06/2024	Department for Transport; Network Rail	Partially accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO
3	The Department and Network Rail should complete their development of metrics for evaluating the benefits from the Programme, such as for reduced carbon emissions or interconnectivity across the region. Ref Page 13, Paragraph 21, point c · Implemented Q1 2026-27	Department for Transport; Network Rail	Accepted	In progress ✓ NAO
4	The Department and Network Rail should agree with other government departments, local government and train operating companies who should have ownership in delivering and measuring the wider benefits of the Programme. This should include agreeing with local authorities on how to improve passengers? end-to-end journeys and increase usage of the upgraded route. Ref Page 13, Paragraph 21, point d · Implemented Q2 2027	Department for Transport; Network Rail	Accepted	In progress ✓ NAO
5	As part of developing its marketing campaign for passengers, Network Rail should set out how it will assess its success at informing passengers and addressing their concerns. This should include metrics to monitor passengers? awareness of the Programme and how it will disrupt their journeys. It should also consider continued monitoring of how the disruption may affect future passenger uptake. Ref Page 13, Paragraph 21, point e. · Implemented 06/2023	Department for Transport	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO