The Department told us that electrifying the rail network is a key part of decarbonising and achieving net zero on the railway and that to ensure success, a steady long-term plan for electrification is needed. However, the Department acknowledged that its approach to electrification in recent years has reflected a “feast-and-famine” attitude.53 Data published by Network Rail shows a substantial range in annual track electrification undertaken since 1970, ranging from less than 10 track kilome...

The Department told us that electrifying the rail network is a key part of decarbonising and achieving net zero on the railway and that to ensure success, a steady long-term plan for electrification is needed. However, the Department acknowledged that its approach to electrification in recent years has reflected a “feast-and-famine” attitude.53 Data published by Network Rail shows a substantial range in annual track electrification undertaken since 1970, ranging from less than 10 track kilometres to almost 600 track kilometres, interspersed with years where no electrification took place.54 We asked whether the Department planned to rectify th Type: conclusion | Number: 21 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: 5: PAC conclusion: We are disappointed at the lack of progress in agreeing a specific and funded plan for the electrification required to achieve the government’s own net zero targets 5: PAC recommendation: In its December letter to the Committee, the Department