Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to parliamentary question 102105 answered on 14 January what assessment she has made of the measures being taken by Network Rail to mitigate the (a) performance and (b) safety risks of the 2.6% in rail asset deterioration over the course of Control Period 7 (2024 to 2029) as set out in the year 2 update to Network Rail’s Delivery Plan.

The independent safety and economic regulator, the Office of Rail and Road, holds Network Rail to account for its management of railway infrastructure, including the effectiveness of any performance and safety mitigations that are either planned via the Periodic Review process or which subsequently become necessary. The Department for Transport is clear that performance and safety are priorities for the Government.

Network Rail’s next Delivery Plan update will be published in due course.