Written Evidence Apr. 30 2024
Committee: Transport Committee (Department: Department for Transport)Found: RRB0076 - Scrutiny of the draft Rail Reform Bill Transport for Wales Written Evidence
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has had recent discussions with (a) the Secretary of State for Transport and (b) Network Rail on the potential impact of Control Period 7 funding on (i) rail services and (ii) the condition of rail infrastructure in Wales.
Answered by David T C Davies - Secretary of State for Wales
My officials and I have regular discussions with counterparts in the Department for Transport and Network Rail on a wide range of transport matters in Wales.
Between 2024 and 2029, the UK Government will be providing a record £44.1 billion settlement for Network Rail in Control Period 7 across England and Wales. This £44.1 billion settlement is roughly a 4% increase in real terms when compared to the previous control period.
The UK Government is committed to improving rail infrastructure in Wales and has allocated £1 billion to electrify the North Wales Mainline, delivered the £76 million electrification of the Severn Tunnel, contributed £144 million to the upgrade of the Core Valley Lines and provided £77.7 million for improvements to Cardiff Central Station.
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Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of of 15 January 2024 to Question 9001 on Wales Rail Board, what (a) rail infrastructure improvements and (b) investments the Welsh Rail Board has recommended since March 2022.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Wales Rail Board has recently completed an initial prioritised view of rail infrastructure improvements and investments required to support future service aspirations in Wales.
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)
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has had recent discussions with (a) the Secretary of State for Transport, (b) Network Rail and (c) the Welsh government on the electrification of the North Wales Main Line.
Answered by David T C Davies - Secretary of State for Wales
My officials and I have regular discussions with counterparts in the Department for Transport, Network Rail and the Welsh Government on a wide range of transport matters across Wales.
The UK Government is committed to providing £1 billion to fund the electrification of the North Wales Main Line. This investment will have a transformative impact for the many residents, commuters and tourists who use the North Wales Main Line, driving economic growth across the region.
The Department for Transport is working closely with Network Rail and industry partners to develop and deliver on the Government priorities outlined in the Prime Minister’s Network North announcement, including electrification of the North Wales Main Line. The Government is currently considering next steps, including delivery timelines, and will share further information when this work is complete. All schemes will be subject to the development and approval of business cases and will undergo all formal governance, in line with relevant fiscal and legal duties.
The UK Government is already providing significant investment to improve rail infrastructure and travel in Wales, including £144 million for the Core Valley Lines, delivering the £76 million electrification of the Severn Tunnel and £77.7 million for improvements to Cardiff Central Station.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has the Wales Rail Board made in identifying rail infrastructure (a) improvements and (b) investments since March 2022.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Wales Rail Board continues to play an important role working with UK Government to identify a range of rail infrastructure improvements and investments in Wales to meet current needs and anticipated future demand.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Network Rail on recent point failures between London Paddington and Reading.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Improving performance on the Great Western Main Line is a high priority for Network Rail and my Department. Passengers are not getting the level of service they deserve, although improvements are starting to show in the most recent rail period in terms of delay minutes. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has launched an investigation into poor train punctuality and reliability in the Network Rail Wales & Western Region and we look forward to the recommendations of this review.
I have been working closely with Network Rail on this issue over recent months including reviewing their improvement plan and joining a deep dive session to discuss progress against that plan. I also regularly discuss the issue with Network Rail Chief Executive Andrew Haines and am shortly due to meet with Rob Cairns, Network Rail’s Interim Managing Director for Western and Wales to reinforce the need for rapid improvements in performance.
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 track faults on the Great Western Main Line.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Improving performance on the Great Western Main Line is a high priority for Network Rail and my Department. Passengers are not getting the level of service they deserve, although improvements are starting to show in the most recent rail period in terms of delay minutes. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has launched an investigation into poor train punctuality and reliability in the Network Rail Wales & Western Region and we look forward to the recommendations of this review.
I have been working closely with Network Rail on this issue over recent months including reviewing their improvement plan and joining a deep dive session to discuss progress against that plan. I also regularly discuss the issue with the Network Rail Chief Executive Andrew Haines and am shortly due to meet with Rob Cairns, Network Rail’s Interim Managing Director for Western and Wales to reinforce the need for rapid improvements in performance.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of recent trends in the number of point failures on the track between London Paddington and Reading.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Improving performance on the Great Western Main Line is a high priority for Network Rail and my Department. Passengers are not getting the level of service they deserve, although improvements are starting to show in the most recent rail period in terms of delay minutes. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has launched an investigation into poor train punctuality and reliability in the Network Rail Wales & Western Region and we look forward to the recommendations of this review.
I have been working closely with Network Rail on this issue over recent months including reviewing their improvement plan and joining a deep dive session to discuss progress against that plan. I also regularly discuss the issue with Network Rail Chief Executive Andrew Haines and am shortly due to meet with Rob Cairns, Network Rail’s Interim Managing Director for Western and Wales to reinforce the need for rapid improvements in performance.