Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has he made of the effect of the changes to the proposed accountability of routes and regions within Network Rail from June 2019 on that organisation’s ability to deliver its Control Period 6 efficiency plans between 2019 and 2020.

The Department for Transport welcomes Network Rail’s Putting Passengers First programme and Andrew Haines’ commitment to ensuring that rail works for passengers and freight customers. The Department is continuing to engage with Network Rail as they implement the programme.

The Office of Rail and Road has a statutory responsibility for monitoring Network Rail’s performance. It is actively monitoring the effectiveness of Network Rail’s efficiency and delivery as we move into the crucial early months of Control Period 6 (2019-24).