Network Rail: Repairs and Maintenance

Mrs. Laing
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals (a) she and (b) the Office of Rail Regulation have for the further reform of the railway network code in respect of (i) the carrying out of engineering work on the network and (ii) the liability of Network Rail to pay compensation to its train operator customers in cases of delays or unsatisfactory or late completion of works.

Mr. Tom Harris
[holding answer 21 January 2008]: The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) is currently working with the industry to review compensation arrangements for engineering works in order to introduce stronger incentives on Network Rail to manage them more effectively and efficiently. In the light of the findings of its investigation into the recent engineering overruns, ORR will consider whether any further changes may be needed to the network code in respect of engineering works or the arrangements for paying compensation.

Mrs. Laing
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether (a) she and (b) the Office of Rail Regulation has any plans to require Network Rail to extend the timetable for the completion of the West Coast route modernisation.

Mr. Tom Harris
[holding answer 21 January 2008]: The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) is investigating whether Network Rail is in breach of its network licence following the engineering overruns at Rugby and Liverpool Street Station.

An important part of ORR’s investigation is to examine the robustness of Network Rail’s plans for the remaining work to enhance the West Coast Main Line. ORR will consider whether the findings of its investigation have implications for the timetable for completion of the West Coast works.