Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his Department’s intended date is for the introduction of the new East Coast Main Line timetable; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The feedback received through the East Coast Main Line timetable consultation in 2021 has now been reviewed and work is continuing to develop a revised timetable for implementation, one that more closely aligns with stakeholder views, ensures passengers experience the benefits of the £1.2 billion invested in the East Coast upgrade and is appropriate to meet passenger demand.
In order to address the concerns raised during the consultation, the major timetable change is now targeted for 2023.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of the forecasted return on investment for the (a) East Coast Upgrade and (b) East Coast Main Line fleet upgrades in each of the next five years.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Draft forecasts for the period from 2023 to 2028 have just been received from train operators and are being reviewed. The information on costs and revenues is commercially confidential.
Asked by: Nicholas Brown (Independent - Newcastle upon Tyne East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking with Network Rail to reduce instances of overhead line issues on the East Coast Mainline.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
We recognise that overhead line issues on the East Coast Main Line have a huge impact on passengers and freight operators. Network Rail has put in place a programme of work to replace overhead line components that have historically caused a high number of failures and are working with train operators to ensure their trains interact as sympathetically as possible with the infrastructure. Network Rail is also designing a series of specific upgrades for tunnels, where overhead line failures can be extremely disruptive, so that the infrastructure is as resilient as it possibly can be. Finally, Network Rail is working to improve the speed of its response when incidents do happen, making sure its teams get trains moving again as quickly as possible.
Asked by: Louise Haigh (Labour - Sheffield, Heeley)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the expected annual expenditure will be on the Major Projects Portfolio projects for the (i) Rapid Charging Fund, (ii) Midlands Rail Hub, (iii) East Coast Mainline Programme, (iv) East Coast Digital Programme, (v) A417 Air Balloon, (vi) Lower Thames Crossing, (vii) HS2 Phase 2b Western Leg, (viii) A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down, (ix) Further Electrification of Midland Main Line (MML3), (x) East West Rail Configuration State 1, (xi) A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet, (xii) HS2 Phase 2a, (xiii) A12 Chelmsford to A120 Widening, (xiv) Transpennine Route Upgrade, (xv) A66 Northern Trans-Pennine, (xvi) HS2 Phase 1, (xvii) Rail Passenger Services, (xviii) Crossrail Programme, (xix) East West Rail Connection Stage 2 and 3, (xx) Midland Main Line Programme, (xxi) 2nd Generation UK Search and Rescue Aviation and (xxii) Rail Transformation Programme; and if he will place that information in the House of Commons Library.
Answered by Kevin Foster
The annual expenditures of these 22 major projects for 2021-22 were published on 20 July 2022 with the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) Annual Report 2021-2022. This data can be found in the accompanying ‘GMPP Government Major Projects Portfolio AR Data March 2022’ document as ‘Financial Year Forecast (£m) (including Non-Government Costs)'. It is not currently possible to provide the expected annual expenditures for 2022-23 but these will be published at the appropriate time.
Asked by: Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party - East Lothian)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the proposed timetable for changes to the East Coast Main Line service will be finalised.
Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
The public consultation on the proposed major timetable change on the East Coast Main Line, which proposed significant improvements to LNER services, received over 9000 responses and invaluable feedback and insight from local communities. In order to address thoroughly all the concerns raised, the major timetable upgrade is now targeted for 2023 at the earliest. The feedback received through the consultation has now been reviewed and work is continuing towards a plan for the implementation of revised proposals for a new, reliable timetable on the East Coast Main Line; one that more closely aligns with stakeholder feedback, ensures passengers experience the benefits of the £1.2billion invested in the East Coast upgrade and is appropriate for the rail industry’s financial position following the spending review. The Department will be able to share the outcome of that work once it completes later this year.
Asked by: Baroness Randerson (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 8 July (HL1360), what assessment they have made of additional capacity that will be produced by the East Coast Digital Programme.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The introduction of digital signalling, as part of the East Coast Digital Programme, will increase rail system capability. This can either be used to increase performance or capacity. The priority for the East Coast Digital Programme, and therefore the central economic analysis in the Full Business Case, has assumed that the benefits offered by this increased system capability are captured as performance improvements, including reduction in passenger delays by improving the reliability of infrastructure and improved punctuality of trains which delivers additional revenue from an increase in passenger numbers.
Asked by: Baroness Randerson (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 8 July (HL1360), who are the industry partners who have provided cost estimates for funding the East Coast Digital Programme; what is the 3 Lines of Defence approach to scrutinising cost estimates; and who is responsible for the independent analysis within the 3 Lines of Defence approach.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The success of the East Coast Digital Programme is dependent on collaborative business change across a number of organisations, known as industry partners. Alongside my Department and Network Rail, these include passenger and freight train operators and suppliers.
The 3 Lines of Defence approach is the formal Network Rail Cost Estimate Assurance process. The 1st line is led by business operations which perform the day to day activity. At this stage proposed costs are assessed to ensure they capture all relevant scope and risk as well as being sufficiently evidenced. The 2nd line is provided by other functions in the business to provide a strategic overview of costs and to ensure work has been undertaken diligently. The 3rd line is independent assurance, which for the East Coast Digital Programme Full Business Case was provided by Turner and Townsend. In addition to this assurance, the Department’s Centre of Excellence and the Infrastructure Projects Authority have both independently reviewed the Programme, prior to approval of the Full Business Case.
Asked by: Baroness Randerson (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the announcement of funding for the East Coast Digital Programme, what is the (1) timescale for completion, and (2) cost analysis, of that project.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Work has already started on the programme following an initial investment of £350m at the OBC stage in 2020. This has been primarily used to design and retrofit digital technology onto rolling stock. Infrastructure work has also commenced on the Northern City Line a branch of the ECML running from Moorgate to Finsbury Park which is acting as a test bed for the rest of the line. This first area will have signals away and entry into service in the mid-2020s. Following the further investment announced by the government of £950m for the programme, infrastructure works, business change activities for operators as well as fitment of this technology to locomotives will accelerate. Final signals away for the rest of the mainline covered by this investment is in the early 2030s.
In developing the business case for the programme, cost estimates were developed bottom-up, using pricing information supplied by industry partners. These estimates were then scrutinised by Network Rail using the 3 Lines of Defence approach, which includes independent analysis. The result of this analysis shows that over a 60-year appraisal period the programme will deliver “high value-for-money” over its lifetime.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to ensure that a safe level of clearance above overhead line equipment can be combined with maximum flexibility to enable infrastructure development near to electrified railway lines, such as on the York Central site.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The department prioritises passenger and public safety, and also welcomes and supports development alongside the rail network.
Network Rail works closely with third parties across the country to support the delivery of their plans for growth alongside the railway. There are processes in place so developers can share their plans early, allowing solutions to be agreed that maximise local community benefit without compromising railway safety.
Network Rail and Homes England are working in partnership on development of the York Central site, North West of York station.
A proposed new bridge over the East Coast Main Line linking the site with an existing road at Water End is a key enabler for the development. Network Rail is supporting York Central appointed designers to find the optimal viable engineering solution for the new bridge. The aim is to deliver a bridge that provides safe clearance from railway overhead line equipment, while also meeting York Central project commitments on time, cost and planning consent.
Asked by: Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much has been levied in fixed track access charges for (a) all train operators and (b) each train operator for each financial year from 2016-17 to 2021-22.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The below table shows the amount levied in fixed track access charges for (a) all train operators and (b) each train operator for each financial year from 2016-17 to 2021-22.
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£m, cash prices |
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Franchised operator | 16/17 | 17/18 | 18/19 | 19/20 | 20/21 | 21/22 (1) |
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Arriva Trains Wales | 15.3 | 18.6 | 24.0 |
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Transport for Wales |
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| 4.5 | 32.9 |
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Keolis Amey Wales |
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| 15.0 | 33.6 | 24.8 |
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c2c | 4.1 | 4.9 | 9.8 | 15.5 | 16.7 | 16.0 |
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Chiltern | 22.1 | 22.0 | 37.6 | 33.2 | 33.5 | 35.1 |
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Cross Country | 16.5 | 22.4 | 46.2 | 49.7 | 45.9 | 45.5 |
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Virgin East Coast | 22.4 | 27.2 | 18.1 |
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London North Eastern Railway |
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| 40.6 | 50.4 | 45.7 | 55.6 |
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East Midlands | 12.2 | 15.0 | 33.5 | 18.2 |
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East Midlands Railway |
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| 29.1 | 42.5 | 39.7 |
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Govia Thameslink Railway | 31.9 | 39.2 | 85.4 | 149.0 | 155.0 | 136.7 |
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First Great Western | 24.7 | 31.7 | 67.0 | 83.2 | 78.3 | 77.6 |
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Greater Anglia | 9.8 |
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Abelio East Anglia | 8.4 | 22.2 | 47.2 | 45.3 | 55.8 | 52.2 |
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London Midland | 14.2 | 10.9 |
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West Midlands Trains |
| 4.9 | 33.6 | 46.9 | 46.6 | 52.8 |
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London Overground | 2.6 |
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Arriva Rail London | 1.6 | 5.2 | 11.0 | 19.6 | 21.7 | 22.3 |
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Merseyrail | 2.6 | 3.1 | 6.6 | 17.7 | 16.2 | 17.6 |
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MTR Crossrail | 2.0 | 2.4 | 31.1 | 69.9 | 79.9 | 79.6 |
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Arriva Rail North | 20.2 | 25.8 | 56.1 | 73.8 |
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Northern Trains |
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| 13.4 | 83.2 | 85.1 |
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Scotrail | 89.2 | 149.7 | 243.5 | 263.1 | 276.2 | 287.7 |
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Serco Sleeper | 4.2 | 7.0 | 11.0 | 4.0 | 4.2 | 4.5 |
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London & South Eastern Railway | 19.1 | 23.7 | 49.1 | 69.4 | 41.3 |
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Southeastern |
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| 35.4 | 70.5 |
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South West Trains | 20.9 | 9.4 |
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South Western Railway | 15.5 | 53.9 | 72.3 | 78.6 | 84.4 |
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Transpennine | 10.4 | 12.7 | 27.4 | 35.5 | 32.1 | 29.1 |
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Virgin West Coast | 35.8 | 43.0 | 91.1 | 42.1 |
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Avanti West Coast | 18.7 | 61.1 | 68.0 |
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Total | 390.2 | 516.5 | 1,038.8 | 1,253.6 | 1,279.3 | 1,293.0 |
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Accounting adjustments (2) | 1.8 | 2.5 | (0.8) | 0.4 | (0.3) | (0.0) |
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Total disclosed in Regulatory Financial Statements | 392.0 | 519.0 | 1,038.0 | 1,254.0 | 1,279.0 | 1,293.0 |
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Notes | |||||||||
(1) 21/22 figures have yet to be published and are subject to year end assurance and audit | |||||||||
(2) Accounting adjustments relate to some centrally managed items not attributable to an individual operator | |||||||||
Changes in franchises | |||||||||
During 2018/19 responsibility for the London North East rail franchise transferred from Virgin East Coast to London North Eastern Railway. | |||||||||
During 2018/19, London North Eastern Railway was created to operate the London North East rail franchise whilst the government assessed franchising options for this route. Therefore, income is recognised for the first time against this operator in that year | |||||||||
Abelio East Anglia replaced Greater Anglia as the franchise operator during 2016/17 which accounts for the movements between 2015/16 and 2016/17 for these two operators. | |||||||||
In 2016/17, Arriva Rail London assumed responsibility for the London overground concession previously run by London Overground Rail Operations. Therefore, there is a significant decrease in the revenue reported from London Overground in 2016/17 compared to 2015/16 with a corresponding increase in Arriva Rail London | |||||||||
In 2017/18, West Midlands Trains replaced London Midland as the franchise operator on the London North West route. This also resulted in a decrease in London Midland income in 2017/18 compared to the previous year. | |||||||||
In 2017/18, South Western Railway replaced South West Trains as the principle operator in the Wessex route. Consequently, the income earned by the latter was shown for the first time in 2017/18, whilst the former has a noticeable year-on-year decrease in their turnover in the above table in those years | |||||||||
Arriva Trains Wales – this franchise ended in October 2018. Responsibility for operations in this area moved to Keolis Amey Wales, which means that Arriva Trains Wales has a reduction in income in 2018/19 compared to 2017/18 | |||||||||
Keolis Amey Wales – this franchise commenced in October 2018, so reported income for the first time in 2018/19 | |||||||||
During 2019/20 Avanti West Coast replaced Virgin West Coast as the franchisee for the West Coast Main Line. As a result, Virgin West Coast income decreases in 2019/20 and Avanti West Coast reports income for the first time | |||||||||
During 2019/20 East Midlands Railway replaced East Midlands as the franchisee for the east midlands line. As a result, East Midlands income decreases in 2019/20 and East Midlands Railway reports income for the first time | |||||||||
During 2020/21 Transport for Wales replaced Keolis Amey Wales as the franchisee for Wales. As a result, Keolis Amey Wales income decreases in 2020/21 and Transport for Wales reports income for the first time | |||||||||
During 2019/2020 Northern Trains replaced Arriva Rail North as the franchisee for Northern. As a result, Arriva Rail North income decreases in 2019/20 and Northern Trains reports income for the first time | |||||||||
During 2020/21 Southeastern replaced London & South East Railway as the franchisee for South East. As a result, London & South East Railways income decreases in 2020/21 and Southeastern reports income for the first time | |||||||||