Secretary of State for Transport (): Maintaining and renewing
our country’s rail infrastructure is critical to delivering the
railway that passengers and freight countries expect and for
supporting economic growth.
Every 5 years the government is required to set out what we wish
to achieve from the operations, maintenance and renewal of the
railway. This is done through a document known as a high-level
output specification, and the funding available is set out
through a statement of funds available.
I am today (1 December 2022) publishing the objectives and funds
available for operational railway infrastructure in England and
Wales for the next control period - control period 7. This covers
the period April 2024 to March 2029.
The government fully recognises the critical role rail services
played for business, key workers and our society during the
COVID-19 pandemic, and the vital role they play in connecting
communities and supporting economic growth.
The high-level output specification makes it clear that the
government will press ahead with rail reform, addressing the
challenges facing the sector, such as fragmentation and outdated
working practices, with a strong continued focus on operations,
maintenance and renewal. This strong continued focus is important
in supporting a safe, efficient and reliable railway for
passengers and freight customers.
Achieving these objectives will be facilitated by significant
government investment as set out in the statement of funds
available, with Network Rail spending around £44 billion over the
period April 2024 to March 2029.
The government now expects Network Rail to develop detailed plans
to deliver on these objectives, working closely with its
customers. These will then be subject to strong and effective
scrutiny by the Office of Rail and Road, as independent
regulator, to develop robust, credible, value for money plans for
the next control period.
