Transport and Infrastructure

Review of 30-year plan to double passengers on trains

'Increasing Passenger Rail Capacity: Department for Transport and the Office for Rail Regulation’ (HC 33), reports that the 30-year strategy set to increase rail passenger capacity in England and Wales will not deliver as first forecast.

By March 2014, The Department for Transport (DfT) initially intended to double the number of passengers travelling by train comfortably at peak time in London by 17% and 27% in other major cities, as well as to improve their safety and reliability.

High speed rail network proposed by the Department for Transport

In January 2009, the Government established High Speed Two Ltd (HS2 Ltd) to consider the options for a new high speed rail network in Britain, starting with a costed and deliverable proposal for a new line from London to Birmingham.

HS2 Ltd's report concludes that there is a strong business case for a new London to Birmingham line, and sets out detailed recommendations for the design of its route, together with a range of options for how it might be extended to serve other conurbations.

Department for Transport neglected risk analysis when negotiating Metronet contract

In 2003, the Government entered into three innovative 30 year contracts with private sector contractors to upgrade London's underground rail system. Four years later, in 2007, two of the three contractors (Metronet BCV and Metronet SSL, known collectively as Metronet) went into administration when they could no longer meet their spending obligations.

'Department for Transport: The Failure of Metronet' (HC 390) reports that the loss to the taxpayer arising from Metronet's poor financial control and inadequate corporate governance is some £170 million to £410 million. The Department's oversight and management of risk on the Metronet contracts were inadequate, especially given that it provided a £1 billion a year grant, was ultimately responsible for delivery and carried the majority of the risk of failure.

Road safety for pedestrians and cyclists examined

In this report, 'Improving Road Safety for Pedestrians and Cyclists in Great Britain (HC 665)', the Public Accounts Committee finds that Great Britain is one of the safest countries in the world in terms of road deaths and the Department for Transport (the Department) is on track to achieve its overall road safety targets for 2010. It is unacceptable though that when compared internationally, Great Britain's record on pedestrian and particularly child pedestrian deaths per head of population is some way behind the best.

Ticketing and concessionary travel on public transport reviewed

This Report from the House of Commons Transport Committee, 'Ticketing and Concessionary Travel on Public Transport' (HC 84), examines the aim of producing an integrated ticketing system across England, with the introduction of smartcard concessionary travel passes.

Management of rail incidents examined

In the 2006-07 period 800,000 incidents led to 14 million minutes of delay to franchised passenger rail services, costing a minimum of £1 billion (an average of around £73 for each minute of delay) in the time lost to passengers. Such incidents include infrastructure faults, fleet problems, fatalities, and trespass.

This Report from the National Audit Office, 'Reducing Passenger Rail Delays by Better Management of Incidents' (HC 308), examines the delays to passengers on main line rail services and what needs to be done to reduce such incidents.

The case for Crossrail

To help inform the debate, 'Government Overview of the Case for Crossrail and its Environmental Impacts’ (Cm 7250) summarises the work that has already been done to assess, control, and mitigate the environmental impacts of Crossrail and explains why the Government believes that the Crossrail project is worthy of its support.

Sustainable transport policy set out

This White Paper, ‘Towards a Sustainable Transport System: Supporting Economic Growth in a Low Carbon World’ (Cm. 7226), examines sustainable transport policy in the light of the Eddington Study and the Stern Report.

Sustainable railways

This White Paper 'Delivering a Sustainable Railway' (Cm. 7176) from the Department for Transport is the first plan for major growth of the British railways since the 1950s.

Local road pricing proposed

Rising demand for transport is a consequence of a strong and prosperous economy, as well as increasing globalisation of markets for goods and services.

'Strengthening Local Delivery: Draft Local Transport Bill' (Cm. 7043) aims to tackle congestion and improve public transport.

The Eddington Transport Study, the case for action

The UK transport system currently supports 61 billion journeys a year. It is already clear that some parts of the system are under severe strain and significant transport challenges are looming.

This Study demonstrates that the performance of the UK’s transport networks will be crucial to sustained productivity and competitiveness.

Local bus services across the UK

Buses are a key local service, but usage has been in decline since the 1950s. The Report examines the particular problems local authorities face in developing and implementing effective bus strategies.

New Road Safety Act in force

The Road Safety Act 2006 is essential reading for anyone involved in the transport and infrastructure sector or the driving industry.

This Act of Parliament brings into force new legislation regarding road traffic, registration plates, vehicle and driver information, trunk road picnic areas and private hire vehicles.

West Coast Main Line unable to sustain passenger growth

The NAO finds that the West Coast Main Line may not be able to sustain passenger growth within 10 years despite a £8.6bn investment.

This report examines how effectively the Strategic Rail Authority/Department for Transport and Network Rail turned around the West Coast programme between 2002 and 2006.

EU/US Passenger Name Record Agreement examined

This Report 'The EU/US Passenger Name Record (PNR) Agreement' (HL 108) from the House of Lords European Union Committee examines the Passenger Name Record (PNR) Agreement between the United States and the European Union.

For every flight into, out of or over their territory the United States requires detailed information on all passengers and crew. Much of the information is collected by the airlines - the Passenger Name Record (PNR).

Costs of building roads reviewed

‘Estimating and Monitoring the Costs of Building Roads in England’ (HC 426) is a Report from the House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts looking at Department for Transport / Highways Agency expenditure on the development of new roads.

UK aviation industry environmental obligations

Following on from the Government's Transport White Paper ‘The Future of Air Transport’ (Cm 6046), published in December 2003, this report details the progress to deliver a sustainable air transport policy across the UK to the year 2030.

The White Paper proposed:

• A new runway at Stansted
• Development of Heathrow, including a further runway and additional terminal capacity has been supported
• Options for two new runways at Gatwick and a second runway at Luton are not supported
• Proposed additional runway at Edinburgh airport as well as substantial terminal
• Development at Glasgow Airport development of a new central Scotland airport
• Increased capacity at Manchester and Liverpool an additional runway at Birmingham.