Written Question: Rail Priorities

Lord Moylan: To ask His Majesty's Government what policy objectives they have set for Great British Railways, and in what order of priority these objectives have been ranked.

Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, CBE):

Clause 3 of the Railway’s Bill sets out the statutory functions of GBR – what we expect it to do, and Clause 18 its general duties – what we expect it to consider when it is delivering on its functions. Taken together, the functions and duties already set out GBR’s fundamental purpose.

Further, the Railways Bill requires the Secretary of State for Transport to issue the Long-Term Rail Strategy (LTRS), which is the first strategy of its kind. It will set out strategic objectives for the railway over a 30-year period.