Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to publish the (a) 2020, (b) 2021, (c) 2022 and (d) 2023 updates to the Rail Networks Enhancement Pipeline.

Following the Autumn Statement and the Budget, we are in the process of reviewing the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline (RNEP) with a view to publishing a single portfolio update. In the current economic context, it is more important than ever for the enhancement schemes we take forward to be affordable and respond to changes in demand for travel, including as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. We are therefore taking the proper time to review the rail enhancement portfolio to ensure the schemes within it reflect the current priorities. We will make a single, up to date outcome public once work is complete.

The Government is committed to providing transparency of the rail enhancement pipeline, to provide clarity on the progress of projects and visibility to the rail industry and wider supply chain on the forward programme of work. We recognise updates to the portfolio have not taken place annually since 2019, given the pandemic and successive fiscal events. Moving forward, we intend to review with involvement from industry and the supply chain, how best to provide regular updates on the rail enhancements portfolio which allows them to plan ahead.