RAIL SECTOR TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME
DfT · DFT_0020_2122-Q2 · Last reported March 2025 · Earlier name: Rail Transformation Programme (March 2024)
Department page: Department for Transport
| Data as at | Rating | End date | Whole-life cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2024 | Exempt under Section 35 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Exempt under Section 35 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Formulation of government policy,etc.)) | Exempt under Section 35 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Exempt under Section 35 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Formulation of government policy,etc.)) | Exempt under Section 35 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Exempt under Section 35 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Formulation of government policy,etc.)) |
| March 2025 | Amber (NISTA's independent assessment) | The GMPP project is still at the planning stage (Pre-SOC or equivalent) and is not yet in a position to provide cost/schedule information | The GMPP project is still at the planning stage (Pre-SOC or equivalent) and is not yet in a position to provide cost/schedule information |
Each year’s cost is shown with its price basis. Costs are not compared between years: the March 2024 and March 2025 reports state no price basis, and from March 2026 costs are in 2024/25 prices.
The department’s commentary
This is the department’s own commentary. It may use different prices from the table above, so its figures may not match.
March 2025
Rating: The Infrastructure Project Authority's Delivery Confidence Assessment rating at 24/25-Q4 is AMBER. This is due to‚ DfT agree with the amber rating. The Railways Bill, which will enable the establishment of Great British Railways is planned to be introduced in the first session of Parliament. The legislation consultation was published on 18 February and closed on 15 April. Significant stakeholder engagement has occurred and to raise awareness of the transformation and build consensus ahead of the Government publishing the consultation response. GBR is expected to be established around 12 months after the bill receives Royal Assent.
Schedule: The project's end-date at 24/25-Q4 is exempted. In February 2025, the government’s consultation on the Railways Bill outlined plans to set up GBR as a new public body, responsible for rail services and infrastructure. The Railways Bill is due to go before Parliament this parliamentary session. GBR is expected to be established round 12 months after the bill receives Royal Assent. Before the bill becomes law, leaders of Network Rail, DfT Operator Limited (DFTO), and the Department for Transport’s (DfT’s) Rail Services Group are working together, as Shadow Great British Railways (SGBR). SGBR will start to realise the benefits of rail reform to passengers and freight ahead of the formal creation of GBR.
Cost: The GMPP project is still at the planning stage (Pre-SOC or equivalent) and is not yet in a position to provide cost/schedule information
Source: NISTA Annual Report 2024-25 (data)
March 2024
Rating: Exempt under Section 35 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Exempt under Section 35 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Formulation of government policy,etc.))
Schedule: Exempt under Section 35 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Exempt under Section 35 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Formulation of government policy,etc.))
Cost: Exempt under Section 35 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Exempt under Section 35 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Formulation of government policy,etc.))
Source: IPA Annual Report 2023-24 (data)
Names, figures, dates, ratings and commentary are as the department reported them. Where a rating, cost or date is withheld, the file’s wording is shown. Every major project →