Committee launches inquiry into EU Commission's 4th Railway Package

The Transport Committee is today launching a short inquiry into the European Commission’s 4th railway package, which was adopted at the end of last month:

• European Commission's 4th Railway Package

The 4th railway package has been described by the Commission as a “comprehensive package of measures to deliver better quality and more choice in railway services in Europe”. The Committee is interested in what impact the package will have on rail in the UK. In particular:

• What will be the impact of the measures on the GB railway?
• Will the package lead to there being more cross-border rail services through the Channel Tunnel, both passenger and freight?
• What more could be done to encourage the development of cross-border services?
• What opportunities will the package create for British rail firms to compete in other EU markets?
• What more could be done to reduce barriers to entry to those markets?
• What impact will the package have on EU rail operators which compete for British franchises and, consequently, on the market for GB rail franchises?

The Committee is also interested in whether the Commission’s approach to liberalising the EU rail industry is likely to be effective in increasing demand for rail; and what impact the measures will have on integrated public transport policies.

The Committee intends to hear oral evidence on Monday 4 March, ahead of its visit to Brussels later in the month. Written evidence must be received by Friday 22 February.