Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the UK’s continued adherence to (a) EU rail standards and (b) the provisions of the EU rail packages notwithstanding the terms of the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

The Government’s White Paper, The Future Relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, explains that once we have left the EU we will have the flexibility to shape our domestic railway legislation to meet the needs of passengers and freight shippers, and reflect the unique characteristics of the rail network within the UK. Any future decisions about the application of rail standards will involve careful consideration of the views of the UK rail industry. The Government is preparing for transposition of both the Technical and Market Pillars of the Fourth Railway Package.