Funding settlement could add driverless trains to tracks

As part of the deal, the government has confirmed that Mayor of London Sadiq Khan agreed to continue work on the introduction of driverless trains, which transport secretary Grant Shapps has been pushing for as a condition of the settlement.

TfL commissioner Andy Byford said the agreement follows weeks of negotiations over the settlement, which will see a further £1.2bn funding from government. This will support almost £3.6bn of investment into major projects for TfL including new Piccadilly Line and Docklands Light Railway trains, the Bank station upgrade and finalisation of the Elizabeth line.

In a statement announcing the update, Byford said that the settlement will give TfL ongoing revenue support should passenger numbers not recover from the pandemic at the rate budgeted.

“This agreement, which was hard won, means that we can now get on with the job of supporting London’s recovery from the pandemic — to the benefit of the whole country,” he said.

“It helps us avoid large-scale cuts to services, and means that we will commit £3.6bn to capital investment over the period, with around £200m of new capital funding from government beyond previously budgeted sources like business rates, which were devolved to the Mayor in 2017.”

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The deal will dedicate £80m a year to active travel schemes, expanding walking and cycling infrastructure to reduce congestion and pollution across London. As part of the settlement, the Mayor also agreed to submit proposals to reform pensions by the end of September and achieve revenue generation proposals promised in February.

Darren Caplan, chief executive of the Railway Industry Association (RIA) said that the settlement was welcome news for the railway industry.

“However, after years of uncertainty rail businesses which renew, enhance and build rail in the capital — whether infrastructure or rolling stock — continue to urge both government and TfL to agree multi-annual deals that last beyond 20 months, more like the five-year Control Periods on the national rail network,” he commented.

“This is the only way to get the best possible value, to the benefit of both fare and tax payers, and to ensure the potential of one of the cleanest forms of public transport really is fully realised in the months and years ahead.”

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