The rail industry needs a clear strategy from Government on how
to decarbonise the network, says the Transport Committee in a new
report, Trains fit for the future?
As a matter of priority, the Government should publish a
long-term strategy that sets out its vision for electrification
and for the use of battery and hydrogen technology that is
underpinned by appropriate costings, a credible delivery plan and
enabling targets and milestones.
As part of its strategy, the DfT should commit to a 30-year
rolling programme of electrification projects. If the Government
is to meet the legally binding target of net zero carbon
emissions by 2050, and a former Minister’s pledge to remove all
diesel trains from tracks by 2040, the current Government must
take the first steps and start the electrification programme as
soon as possible rather than waiting for the start of the next
control period in 2024.
Network Rail and the industry should be subject to greater
transparency and controls over cost to ensure the rolling
programme delivers value for money. As electrification is the
only immediate decarbonisation option for most of the network,
the Department should publish the list of ‘no regret’
electrification schemes identified by Network Rail and confirm
which will come first and when.
Uncertainty is a key obstacle to delivering a decarbonised
railway. The Committee heard that delays to key transport
strategies such as the Department’s Decarbonisation Plan, the
Rail Reform White Paper and the Williams Review, combined with a
mismatched target framework, have cost the sector valuable time
for planning and investment.
Battery and hydrogen technology should be embraced as an
important way of decarbonising the rail network, says the Report.
The Committee encourages the DfT to make the case for hydrogen
technology and to ensure that hydrogen trains are fully
incorporated within the forthcoming national Hydrogen Strategy.
The DfT must report on how it intends to support the growth of a
domestic battery industry for use on the railway.
Trains fit for the future? considered not just the mode
of power but passenger accessibility to train services. The
Report considers the failure of several train companies to meet
targets to make their trains fully accessible to be unacceptable.
The Committee asks the DfT to set out the sanctions that will
apply if companies fail to meet the deadline again.
Transport Committee Chair, , said:
“Decarbonising rail, and making our trains cleaner and greener,
will be a considerable challenge for us all. Transport accounts
for the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions of any sector
in the UK at 27 per cent. Trains in Great Britain still rely
mainly on diesel traction – an estimated 62% of the rail network
is diesel-powered compared with 38% electrification. It will be
some time before battery and hydrogen-powered trains are ready to
depart the station, leaving electrification as the main option.
“Electrification has a patchy record of delivery. It’s time to
invest in a rolling programme which will speed up delivery, drive
down costs and hold to account those who do not deliver to time
or budget.
“We know that the Government is keen to encourage the development
of hydrogen power and ask that the decarbonisation plan is
flexible enough to include alternative and new technologies. To
help, our research and development capabilities must be properly
supported and funded.
“Rail contributes less than one per cent of the total UK annual
greenhouse gas emissions and has a huge role to play in helping
us move people and goods around using zero-carbon solutions. We
must ensure that we don’t push freight on to the roads as the
move from road to rail freight is an important part of meeting
our net zero targets.
“As for the passenger service, the industry has have had 11 years
to prepare for legislation making it unlawful for a passenger
rail train to be in service unless it is accessible. There are at
least four train operators that are still not complying with
legal accessibility requirements. It is not acceptable for the
Department for Transport to continue to sign dispensations.
Public transport must be accessible to all. The Government and
industry must make this happen.”
