Aug. 08 2023
Source Page: Periodic review 2023 of Network Rail: draft determinationFound: Periodic review 2023 of Network Rail: draft determination
Aug. 08 2023
Source Page: Periodic review 2023 of Network Rail: open access airport chargesFound: Periodic review 2023 of Network Rail: open access airport charges
Aug. 08 2023
Source Page: Periodic review 2023 of Network Rail: changes to access contractsFound: Periodic review 2023 of Network Rail: changes to access contracts
Asked by: Smyth, Colin (Scottish Labour - South Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take to improve access for disabled people at (a) Kirkconnel, (b) Annan and (c) Sanquhar railway station on the Nith Valley line.
Answered by Hyslop, Fiona - Minister for Transport
We are progressing Recommendation 19 of the Strategic Transport Projects Review 2 (STPR2), reviewing station accessibility across Scotland, including Kirckonnel, Annan and Sanquhar. This work will identify and remove barriers to travel and improve access for all to the rail network, prioritising those stations that have particular accessibility related requirements.
The review is anticipated to complete in Spring 2024, whilst it is too early to comment on any outcome to the review, Recommendation 19 reinforces the Scottish Government commitment to improve access for all to Scotland’s Rail Network.
SWestrans received funding from the Local Rail Development Fund to undertake the first stage of a transport appraisal using Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance. The appraisal has considered accessibility at Kirkconnel station.
Transport Scotland reviewed the Initial Appraisal: Case for Change report received from SWestrans and officials will feedback to them on this report in the coming weeks.
Found: Rail reform: the rail transformation programme
Found: Rail reform: the rail transformation programme
Asked by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the budget for rail enhancements in England and Wales between 2024 and 2029 is.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The rail enhancement budget has been separated from the overall Network Rail Operations Maintenance and Renewals budget, known as the Statement of Funds Available, since 2018. The government published its approach to rail enhancements across England and Wales in the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline[1] (RNEP) in 2018.
Since Spending Review 2021 we have spent around £2bn a year on rail enhancements on the conventional network. Major projects, including HS2, Crossrail and East West Rail, are funded separately. As previously, the RNEP budget beyond the current Spending Review period (ending in 24/25) will be set at future fiscal events.
[1] Rail network enhancements pipeline - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Found: Rail reform: the rail transformation programme
Written Evidence Apr. 16 2024
Committee: Transport Committee (Department: Department for Transport)Found: RRB0026 - Scrutiny of the draft Rail Reform Bill Railway Industry Association Written Evidence
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with Network Rail on its assessment of levels of track degradation over the next five years.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government provided £44.1 billion in December 2022 to fund Network Rail’s operations, maintenance, and renewal activity in Control Period 7 (the next 5-year funding period for Network Rail’s operations, maintenance, and renewals, starting in April 2024). At the time, this was a 4% increase in real terms on the settlement for Control Period 6 when compared on a like-for-like basis.
The independent regulator, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), has led the 3-year long Periodic Review 2023 process to determine Network Rail’s funding and plans for Control Period 7. During the Periodic Review, the “composite sustainability index” measure (of which track condition is a constituent part) has been a key issue for the Department for Transport. The Secretary of State stated in the 2022 High-Level Output Specification that he expects the overall long-term asset sustainability of the rail network to constitute a central part of Network Rail’s planning for Control Period 7.
The Department for Transport regularly holds meetings with Network Rail to discuss the progress of Periodic Review 2023 and the associated key issues. Network Rail continues to deploy remote monitoring technologies to improve its monitoring of track condition. This includes train-borne devices, which improve efficiency and support greater value for money by extending asset lives, improving asset sustainability, passenger safety and train service reliability.