Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the current financial stability of Network Rail and its impact on improvements to the railway system, in the light of increasing demand for passenger and freight services; and whether they plan to take further action to restructure the company if the recently commissioned review so recommends.

The government has asked Sir Peter Hendy, Network Rail Chairman, to lead a review into Network Rail’s investment programme. This will be completed by Autumn 2015.

The government has also asked Nicola Shaw, Chief Executive of High Speed 1, to advise on the longer-term future shape and financing of Network Rail. This work will report in time for Budget 2016.