Railways: Cost Effectiveness
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what are the 10 highest cost-benefit ratios for proposed railway infrastructure projects; and if she will publish the figures.
Answered by Simon Lightwood
We are reviewing all of our investment plans, including rail infrastructure, as part of the ongoing Spending Review in order to ensure that they reflect our missions as government whilst delivering value sustainably. I cannot comment on individual schemes until this has concluded.
It should also be noted that Benefit Cost Ratios (BCRs) are only one element of decision-making on proposed rail infrastructure projects and should be considered within the context of the five-case business model (Strategic, Economic, Financial, Commercial and Management) used in Government. We do not routinely share or publish BCRs as they do not capture the full case for a project and can be misleading without wider context.
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