THE project to modernise the Great Western railway network, which operates trains linking Worcestershire and Herefordshire with Oxford and London, has been harshly criticised by the National Audit Office.

The project, which includes electrification of main lines, is between 18 and 36 months behind schedule, and its cost is currently estimated at £5.58 billion, up £2.1 billion from 2013.

The National Audit Office says the Department of Transport did not plan and manage all the projects which make up the modernisation programme in a sufficiently joined-up way, and did not produce a business case bringing together all elements of the programme until March 2015, more than two years after ordering the trains and over a year after Network Rail began work to electrify the route.

It also criticises Network Rail for underestimating how many bridges it would need to rebuild or modify and also the time and costs needed to obtain planning permission and other consents.

Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office, said: “The modernisation of the route has potential to deliver significant benefits for passengers but this is a case study in how not to manage a major programme.

"The department's failure to plan and manage all the projects which now make up the Great Western Route Modernisation industry programme in a sufficiently joined up way, combined with weaknesses in Network Rail's management of the infrastructure programme, has led to additional costs for the taxpayer.

“It is encouraging that since 2015 the department and Network Rail have a better grip and put in place structures to manage the programme in an integrated way. However significant challenges to the timetable still remain and there is more to do to achieve value for money.”