Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government which single body or individual is responsible, and accountable, for the overall performance of the rail network.

The railway is a partnership between the public and private sectors which has delivered a doubling in demand and significant investment over the past two decades.

Network Rail is responsible for the performance of the infrastructure, working with train operating companies who are responsible for the passenger services running on the network. The Government has set out plans to introduce more integrated working between Network Rail and train operators, to present a single accountable face of overall railway performance to passengers.

The Department for Transport takes a number of decisions which influence the evolution of the railway, including infrastructure investment and the approach to its passenger service franchises, as do other funders and franchising authorities.