Railways: West Dorset
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with rail operators on service reliability caused by climate change affecting West Dorset.
Answered by Keir Mather
The Department engages regularly with Network Rail and the Train Operating Companies (TOCs) on the impact of extreme weather and climate change on rail service reliability across the network, including on routes serving rural areas such as West Dorset.
Network Rail has developed Weather Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation (WRCCA) plans to identify climate-related risks and improve the resilience and reliability of the rail infrastructure affected by flooding, storms, heatwaves, and other extreme weather events. In early 2026, the TOCs, including those serving West Dorset, also completed their first WRCCA plans, focusing on weather and climate risks to stations, services, staff, and customers.
In advance of the establishment of Great British Railways, Network Rail and the TOCs, supported by the Department, are working together increasingly closely to take a holistic view of climate risks to the rail network and to develop adaptation plans.
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