Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has taken steps to ensure that environmental impact assessments are conducted and published on works programmes to existing railways.

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations refer to two schedules that can require Environmental Impact Assessments to be carried out by Network Rail in relation to works programmes. Network Rail works with legal advisors to advise on its schemes which includes compliance to legislation such as the Environmental Impact Assessment regulations. An Environmental Impact Assessment must accompany any application for planning permission or a Transport and Works Act Order where one is required by legislation.

Applications for Transport and Works Act Order, including any associated Environmental Impact Assessments, are made publicly available on the GOV.UK website at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/twa-inspector-reports-and-decision-letters#2021-twa-decisions-and-applications, as well as being available during formal consultations. Environmental Statements for schemes applying for planning permission from a local authority will be made available on the respective Local Planning Authority webpage, usually via the planning portal.