RIA’s review of the Government’s progress on decarbonising the railways – A mixed picture

The Committee, made up of cross-party MPs, held an inquiry which reported in March 2021 into ‘Trains fit for the future?’ looking at how the UK can reduce its dependence on diesel-only trains. In the inquiry’s report, it set out recommendations for the Government, including to secure funding to decarbonise the railways, commit to a programme of electrification and develop the use of clean technologies such as battery and hydrogen.

One year on since the report’s publication, RIA has found that out of 12 key recommendations, the Government has made good progress on three, limited progress on four and no progress on five. Good progress includes the Government committing to Midlands Mainline, Transpennine Route Upgrade and Wigan-Bolton electrification in the Integrated Rail Plan published last year. But not publishing a full programme or details of other schemes, such as for rail freight, is cited as lack of progress.

RIA's review also called on the Government to publish the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline (RNEP), a £10bn list of vital railway upgrades, as soon as possible, given it still has not done so for almost 900 days.  

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association (RIA), said: “One year on from the Transport Committee’s report, our review shows that, encouragingly, the Government is making some progress in key areas of decarbonising the railways. For example, it was positive to see commitment to several longer-term major electrification schemes in the Integrated Rail Plan, which will help to reduce emissions on key routes.

“However, there is concern at a lack of progress in several important areas. There still needs to be a much more ambitious programme to electrify the railways, starting now if the Government is to hit its own electrification targets by 2050; and significantly more progress on rolling out battery and hydrogen trains, to build on investment in these technologies from the private sector.

“So, whilst the Government is heading in the right direction it needs to accelerate the decarbonisation of the railways, if it wants the sustainable, world-class network it says it does to serve the UK, its economy and its connectivity. Doing so not only helps drive long-term growth right across the country but also, supports thousands of skilled jobs and significant investment right now, at a time of uncertainty and economic turbulence.”