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Research and Reports

A database of documents and reports released by industry bodies. You can download the document by clicking on its title, and can filter reports by author or subject. If you have a report you would like to submit to the Rail Hub, please email [email protected].

 

  • Overview of the English Rail System

    07/07/2021
    House of Commons SearchResearchItems

    The Department for Transport has “neither the urgency nor appreciates the scale of the challenge ahead” regarding the future of rail. That’s the damning verdict of MPs on the Public Accounts Committee, whose report highlights how delivery of services has “not sufficiently focused on the needs of passengers”, while the network in England has “suffered from a lack of strategic direction and accountability for many years”. The document is highly critical that an increase in government support since 2015, followed by an additional £8.5 billion provided from the public purse since the start of the pandemic, has not been matched by adequate transparency over costs and revenues “to inform proper oversight”. It adds that the DfT “lacks a convincing and timely plan for encouraging passengers back to the railway”, and also questions whether its transitionary arrangements to replace franchising with National Rail Contracts fairly distributes risk between government and operators. Furthermore, the PAC says that a “disappointing lack of progress” on electrification threatens the Government’s own decarbonisation targets.

  • Rail infrastructure investment

    28/06/2018
    House of Commons SearchResearchItems

    The transport committee says it supports emerging traction technologies, but that the Department for Transport “has not yet made the long-term case for bi-mode operation with a view to conversion to alternative train traction power-sources at some point in the future.” Despite the failure of the 2012 electrification plans, it also argues that “there is strong evidence” that electrification “remains the current optimal solution on heavily-used parts of the railway.” It recommends re-categorising the cancelled Midland Main Line, Great Western Main Line and Lakes Line projects as “pending” and that if battery and hydrogen technology is proven, that the DfT and Network Rail “should make a comparative cost/benefit analysis” against outstanding electrification schemes.

  • Community transport and the Department for Transport’s proposed consultation

    14/12/2017
    House of Commons SearchResearchItems

    This paper from the Transport Committee recommends that in seeking to ensure UK guidance and legislation is in line with EU Regulations, the Department for Transport achieves the maintenance of “high quality, safe and secure community transport services for people who might otherwise be left isolated.” It also argues that as the country leaves the EU the DfT begins “to consider longer term legislative change to maintain and foster the UK’s unique approach to community transport.”

  • Rail franchising: Government Response to the Committee’s Ninth Report of Session 2016-17: Tenth Special Report of Session 2016-17

    01/04/2017
    House of Commons SearchResearchItems

    The UK government has agreed with much of a previous transport committee report (the ninth of the 2016-17 session) - but disagrees with the recommendation that “an independent and publicly available review of the Department’s franchising functions be commissioned.” However, areas where the government aligns with the committee include over recommendations that franchise bidding costs be streamlined; that the Department for Transport and Office of Rail and Road work together to reform track access charges for Control Period 6; and that consideration be given to restructuring franchises as they expire “to align better with the specific market they serve”.

  • Rail franchising: Ninth Report of Session 2016-17

    01/02/2017
    House of Commons SearchResearchItems

    This transport committee report recommends an independent review of the Department for Transport’s franchising functions. The wide-ranging paper also recommends reform of track access charges for control period 6; that DfT “publish updates on the financial losses to the taxpayer from the TSGN franchise and set out the options available to recoup these losses”; and “that, as franchises expire, the Department considers whether they can and should be restructured to align better with the specific market they serve.”

  • Rail technology: signalling and traffic management

    27/10/2016
    House of Commons SearchResearchItems

    While being clear that digital signalling and traffic management can bring major benefits, the Commons Transport Committee also warns “such improvements are not a panacea… and that moving ahead with caution will help ensure the right interventions are used on the right routes.” It also cautions that if Network Rail “produces over-ambitious plans that then need to be scaled back, it risks discouraging further investment in the UK by rail technology suppliers.” The committee argues for caution in using the claim that 40% more capacity can be created, and says NR should not use the benefits of ETCS Level 3 (moving block) in publicity, “until such technology is ready to be employed.” The Rail Delivery Group has welcomed the Select Committee report. RDG chief executive Paul Plummer said the ‘digital railway’ would be “vital in releasing extra capacity to support future rail growth.”

  • Select Committee on the High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Bill Second Special Report of Session 2015-16

    22/02/2016
    House of Commons SearchResearchItems

    The report contains the “final directions and recommendations” from the Commons select committee on the hybrid bill for the first phase of High Speed 2. Recommendations include amending the operation of discretionary compensation schemes and improving the procedure for hybrid bills, while specifically directed amendments to HS2 have included a longer Chilterns bored tunnel and changes to the planned Washwood Heath maintenance depot. The Rail Freight Group has welcomed the select committee report, and has called for greater clarity on how released capacity on the West Coast Main Line would be used.