Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the independent report to his Department on Network Rail’s approach to vegetation management, published on 28 November 2018, whether he has plans to (a) respond to that report and (b) use enforcement powers to implement the recommendations of that report.

I have set out my response to John Varley’s independent review on GOV.UK. In this I confirm that I have accepted the recommendation directed at Government and expect Network Rail to rise to the challenge of those within their area of competence.

We will now work with Network Rail and the Office of Rail and Road to agree how these recommendations can be embedded into Network Rail’s performance management arrangements, and in accordance with their own statutory responsibilities for the railways.