Green Signals 82. No Great British Railways until 2027?! Heidi Alexander at Transport Select Committee
May 1, 2025
Heidi Alexander, the new Transport Secretary, discusses her debut at the Transport Select Committee, where her communication style sparks comparisons to her predecessor. She faces scrutiny over the sluggish progress towards Great British Railways, expected by 2027, emphasizing the need for independent decision-making. The conversation tackles staffing concerns linked to rail decarbonization and critiques financial mismanagement. Plus, there's a peek into innovative tunneling techniques and a roundup of railway news, including the Northumberland line's surge in passenger journeys.
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Transport Dept Growth and Costs
- Central Department for Transport headcount has increased by a third over five years.
- Cost reductions should focus on spending efficiency, not just headcount cuts to avoid perverse incentives.
UK Rail Electrification Challenges
- Electrification is critical but affordability issues have stalled UK progress.
- Battery and electric trains using overhead lines are seen as the way forward for decarbonisation.
Concerns Over Rolling Stock Leasing
- Rolling stock lease renegotiations normally take 2 to 2.5 years but delays here suggest mismanagement.
- The cost and strategy around rolling stock leasing require urgent reform for value and supply chain confidence.