Lord Hendy responds to MPs over rail reform consultation after they ask for clarity

Lord Hendy has said accessibility, freight and the environment remain key priorities for the government.

The Rail Minister described suggestions that the government is downgrading commitments in those areas as “incorrect” in a letter to Transport Select Committee Chair, Ruth Cadbury.

Cadbury had written to Hendy on behalf of the committee in March asking for clarity on whether statutory duties for the three areas would form part of Great British Railway’s (GBR) licence.

“These remain key priorities for the government and we have consistently reinforced our commitment to these important areas, whether in our manifesto, as part of ‘Getting Britain Moving’, or at the despatch box. We have also been clear in the consultation that accessibility is one of our six priorities for the railway,” he wrote.

“I want to be clear that nothing has been ruled out. We are consulting openly on the new regulatory framework, including the duties, functions, and requirements that will be applied to GBR.”

Hendy said consultation was “clear that accessibility will be central to GBR”, with requirements through licence conditions or statutory duties.

“That includes requirements relating to accessibility and engaging accessibility stakeholders,” he said.

The eight-week consultation on rail reform closes on April 15.

Hendy acknowledged the timeframe put in place would be “unwelcome for some”, but added: “Passengers, especially those with disabilities, have waited far too long to see the improvements in the railway that they rightly expect and deserve. Given the need to strike the right balance between getting the views of interested stakeholders and delivering improvements at pace, we feel that 8 weeks is the appropriate length of time for this consultation.”

With regards to freight, the minister said: “We are also conscious that the railway is critical in improving wider environmental outcomes, and we want GBR's future role to reflect that. We are keen to get the mechanisms right for achieving these aims and will set out our plans more fully once the consultation has closed."