Long-standing issues in the rail industry and the scale of the procurements led to the DfT’s decision to lead the procurements itself, despite not having led a major rolling stock procurement before.
The lack of predictability of funding for highways authorities has practical implications for road networks and may lead to increased costs in the long term.
The DfT and Transport for London have done well to protect taxpayers’ interests in Crossrail but risks remain including delivery of the trains.
This Departmental Overview is one of 17 we have produced covering our work on each major government department. It summarises our work on the Department for Transport 2012-13.
Review of a sample of the data systems underpinning the input and impact indicators in the Department for Transport’s Business Plan, Common Areas of Spend and wider management information.
This review was carried out on the 2012-15 Business Plan. Revised Business Plans were issued in June 2013.
Thameslink aims to reduce overcrowding and journey times. Initial progress has been good but a 3 year delay in awarding the train contract puts the 2018 programme deadline at risk.
The strategic case for HS2, in terms of increasing rail capacity and generating regional growth, has still to be demonstrated clearly.
The competition to let this franchise lacked oversight. The full cost to the taxpayer is unknown, but likely to be significant.
As the funding and provision of transport decentralises, this report gives an overview of the landscape and highlights issues and risks.
This Departmental Overview is one of 15 we are producing covering our work on each major government department. It summarises our work on the Department for Transport during 2011-12.
