Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of a report produced by the Hanseatic Transport Consultancy, on behalf of the European Rail Freight Association, which stated that the economic losses incurred by logistics companies, rail operators, infrastructure managers and customers totalled over £2 billion following the six week closure of the main North–South railway line in Rastatt in Germany; and what action they are taking to ensure the resilience of UK rail infrastructure to avoid similar closures and losses in the UK.

Britain has one of the safest railways in Europe. We look to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), as the independent railway safety regulator, to ensure the industry is meeting its safety duties and that it responds appropriately to any new issues or risks which are identified. In response to the closure of the line at Rastatt, Network Rail is working with other European Infrastructure Managers to develop a joint handbook on international contingency management.

Network Rail works to build the resilience of its railway infrastructure by maintaining assets to an appropriate standard. Asset renewal plans are agreed with ORR each Control Period and are targeted to improve asset reliability and resilience. When major disruption does occur, Network Rail has contingency plans and recovery arrangements in place, with dedicated staff overseeing diversionary routes for rail freight.