Department for Transport - Page 2

Andrew Haines, Chief Executive Network Rail

News

Network Rail boss Sir Andrew Haines announces decision to retire

Sir Andrew Haines, the Chief Executive of Network Rail, has announced his decision to retire in October 2025 after seven years at the helm.

Andrew Haines 31 Mar

Dame Bernadette Kelly addresses the Public Accounts Committee on December 19 2024 on the subject of HS2 costs. ALAMY.

News

DfT Permanent Secretary Bernadette Kelly to step down this summer

Kelly to retire from Department of Transport after eight years in the role.

DfT 26 Mar

Chiltern Railways train on the Oxford - Milton Keynes route

News

Operator for first leg of East West Rail announced

Chiltern Railways has been confirmed as the operator of the first leg of East West Rail by the Rail Minister, Lord Hendy.

East West Rail 25 Mar

Passengers queue for Eurostar services at St Pancras International in December 2023.With passenger numbers to European destinations expected to grow, HS1 Ltd has commissioned a study into how to increase passenger capacity at the station. ALAMY.

News

DfT in discussions over feasibility of direct rail service to Switzerland

Rail Minister tells House of Lords department was working to increase the number of destinations accessible via Eurotunnel.

Department for Transport 25 Mar

Ian Yeowart, Managing Director of Alliance Rail.

News

Grand Union writes to DfT after U-turn in stance on cross-country open access plan

Grand Union Trains' Cardiff-Edinburgh service was one of eight open access plans objected to by DfT.

Open access 4 Mar

Euston’s approach, looking in the ‘Up’ direction towards the station (top left). The red double-decker bus is travelling south on Hampstead Road, while the bridge above the orange-fronted Class 710 and the green Pendolino carries Granby Terrace over the West Coast Main Line. Granby Terrace is being extended (right) to also traverse the future HS2 lines. CHRIS HOWE

News

HS2 a 'casebook example of now not to run a major project' say MPs

Public Accounts Committee publishes highly critical report into the HS2 project which has accused DfT and HS2 Ltd of numerous shortcomings

HS2 28 Feb

Grand Central's 180104 speeds through South Otterington (near Northallerton) on September 12 2024 with the 0853 Sunderland to London King’s Cross. ALEX AYRE.

News

Open access operators hit back at DfT's opposition to track access bids

Operators 'unsurprised' after Department for Transport opposes eight out of nine open access applications.

Open access 20 Feb

Passengers at London Waterloo. JACK BOSKETT/RAIL.

News

Government launches consultation on rail reform

The government has launched a consultation which will last for eight weeks on its ambitious plans for a major overhaul of the country’s railway system.

Department for Transport 18 Feb

Comment

Our thoughts on DfT opposing eight open access applications

News Editor David Stubbings and Industry Editor Richard Wilcock share their thoughts on the latest DfT feedback.

Editor's comment 17 Feb

803002 working Lumo's 1S93 1045 Kings Cross to Edinburgh through Little Ponton in Lincolnshire on August 5 2022. PAUL CLARK

News

DfT opposes eight out of nine open access applications citing revenue and performance concerns

Department for Transport said several did not meet the abstraction threshold, and raised several other concerns.

Open access 10 Feb

News

Boost for rail freight as Mode Shift Revenue Support scheme extended

The mode shift revenue support scheme (MSRS) for rail freight has been extended by a year and will now end on 31 March 2026 the Department for Transport has confirmed.

Rail freight 6 Feb

Freightliner 66620 passes Stonehouse on July 16. JACK BOSKETT.

News

Freight calls for level playing field in upcoming spending review

A new report by Rail Partners reveals a stark warning for the UK's transport sector as a new report has revealed the cost of moving goods by rail has skyrocketed over the past decade, rising three times faster than road haulage.

Rail freight 22 Jan

News

Pay-As-You-Go technology rolled out even further in the South East

From next month, 47 stations across the South East will see tap-in-tap-out ticketing implemented as the government begins with its ambitious plans to modernise the ticketing system across the country’s network.

Department for Transport 20 Jan

Stephen Joseph notes the contrast between frequent and lengthy trains in the southern counties, and shorter trains in the North. Northern 156447 approaches Villette Road Bridge (Sunderland) on November 25, with the 1215 Newcastle-Middlesbrough. PAUL BIGGS.

News

Northern begins negotiations with manufacturers for 450 new trains

Northern Trains has taken a significant step towards the largest investment in its history, with the potential to see up to 450 new trains introduced across its network.

Northern 17 Jan

HS2 green tunnel under construction at Burton Green, Warwickshire

News

National Infrastructure Commission chief has doubts over HS2 governance

National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) Chair Sir John Armitt CBE has aired doubts over the governance of HS2 during a Transport Select Committee hearing.

National Infrastructure Commission 15 Jan

The HS2 site at London Euston in September 2023, shortly before the previous government decided it not want to pay for HS2’s station. Work at the site had been paused six months earlier. Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget gave the go-ahead for Euston as London’s HS2 terminus. HS2.

News

DfT looking at ways to protect space for additional HS2 Euston platforms - leaders admit still no agreed phase one cost

Comments come after Lord Hendy said HS2's Euston station would have six platforms

HS2 23 Dec

News

Transport Committee Inquiry launched into boom-or-bust cycles

The Transport Committee has launched a new inquiry to investigate how the government can establish a stable pipeline of rail projects to secure the future of the industry.

Department for Transport 18 Dec

News

New Devolution Framework unveiled could help Mayors control rail services

The Government has outlined further plans for devolution for English regions as Deputy Prime Minister Angela Raynor released its English Devolution White Paper on December 16.

Department for Transport 17 Dec

Heidi Alexander. ©House of Commons/Laurie Noble

News

Heidi Alexander announced as new Transport Secretary following Louise Haigh's resignation

New Transport Secretary was Deputy Mayor for Transport in London under Sadiq Khan

Department for Transport 29 Nov

News

Northumberland Line on course to open next month - but frustrations arise over lack of precise date

The Northumberland Line between Newcastle and Ashington is due to open next month, but despite train times appearing, no exact date has been set

Northern 22 Nov

Department for Transport - Page 2

Network Rail boss Sir Andrew Haines announces decision to retire

DfT Permanent Secretary Bernadette Kelly to step down this summer

Operator for first leg of East West Rail announced

DfT in discussions over feasibility of direct rail service to Switzerland

Grand Union writes to DfT after U-turn in stance on cross-country open access plan

HS2 a 'casebook example of now not to run a major project' say MPs

Open access operators hit back at DfT's opposition to track access bids

Government launches consultation on rail reform

Our thoughts on DfT opposing eight open access applications

DfT opposes eight out of nine open access applications citing revenue and performance concerns

Boost for rail freight as Mode Shift Revenue Support scheme extended

Freight calls for level playing field in upcoming spending review

Pay-As-You-Go technology rolled out even further in the South East

Northern begins negotiations with manufacturers for 450 new trains

National Infrastructure Commission chief has doubts over HS2 governance

DfT looking at ways to protect space for additional HS2 Euston platforms - leaders admit still no agreed phase one cost

Transport Committee Inquiry launched into boom-or-bust cycles

New Devolution Framework unveiled could help Mayors control rail services

Heidi Alexander announced as new Transport Secretary following Louise Haigh's resignation

Northumberland Line on course to open next month - but frustrations arise over lack of precise date

Most read

No takers so first DB Cargo UK Class 67 goes for scrap

HS2 faces £100bn cost and delay until late-2030s, government told

FirstGroup explains why Class 222s were "only option" for Lumo Euston-Stirling service

Department for Transport - Page 2

Network Rail boss Sir Andrew Haines announces decision to retire

DfT Permanent Secretary Bernadette Kelly to step down this summer

Operator for first leg of East West Rail announced

DfT in discussions over feasibility of direct rail service to Switzerland

Grand Union writes to DfT after U-turn in stance on cross-country open access plan

HS2 a 'casebook example of now not to run a major project' say MPs

Open access operators hit back at DfT's opposition to track access bids

Government launches consultation on rail reform

Our thoughts on DfT opposing eight open access applications

DfT opposes eight out of nine open access applications citing revenue and performance concerns

Boost for rail freight as Mode Shift Revenue Support scheme extended

Freight calls for level playing field in upcoming spending review

Pay-As-You-Go technology rolled out even further in the South East

Northern begins negotiations with manufacturers for 450 new trains

National Infrastructure Commission chief has doubts over HS2 governance

DfT looking at ways to protect space for additional HS2 Euston platforms - leaders admit still no agreed phase one cost

Transport Committee Inquiry launched into boom-or-bust cycles

New Devolution Framework unveiled could help Mayors control rail services

Heidi Alexander announced as new Transport Secretary following Louise Haigh's resignation

Northumberland Line on course to open next month - but frustrations arise over lack of precise date

Most read

No takers so first DB Cargo UK Class 67 goes for scrap

HS2 faces £100bn cost and delay until late-2030s, government told

FirstGroup explains why Class 222s were "only option" for Lumo Euston-Stirling service

GB Railfreight planning to repurpose at least 12 more Class 66s for heavy trainloads

DB Cargo UK discussing transferring drivers to rival as it deals with Network Rail contract loss

FirstGroup confirms Class 222s for Euston-Stirling Lumo route

Chiltern Railways on verge of agreeing deal to take ex-TransPennine Express Mk 5s

Why the Class 67s have been running on borrowed time for nearly the whole of their lives

Network Rail begins process to replace rail infrastructure monitoring trains