The Railway Industry Association (RIA), the trade body for UK rail suppliers, has published its submission to Parliament’s Transport Committee for their Major Transport Infrastructure Projects inquiry. In its submission, RIA urges the Government to plan for the long-term and provide visibility for future rail projects, and for schemes not be reopened once they have received political support. Improved certainty and pace has the potential to help unlock efficiencies and to help Government realise the full potential value of rail investment. RIA makes the case that, with support and firm commitment from decision makers and politicians, that the rail supply chain has the capability to deliver the complex projects required to improve the UK’s rail network. The recommendations in the submission include:
Develop a 30-year rail investment plan, with clear pipelines of work;
Restore confidence in public transport as a safe, clean and green form of transport;
Accelerate rail schemes, as part of the ‘build back better’ agenda;
Procure for zero carbon in procurement specifications;
Recognise the full value and potential of rail;
Involve and engage rail suppliers early to ensure effective delivery of projects;
Promote a culture of learning from major projects, including using international benchmarks;
Fully support proposed rail investment to ensure a skilled workforce is maintained; and
Once committed, do not look back’, with political support maintained once a project has sign off.
Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association (RIA), said: “Today we have published our submission to Parliament’s Transport Committee inquiry on the delivery of major projects. Major rail projects are essential to increasing connectivity and capacity for passengers and freight users, reducing carbon emissions, and in supporting jobs, investment and economic growth right across the UK. At this crucial time for the economy, we should be pushing ahead with major rail schemes. The UK has some world-leading experience of and expertise in delivering these large-scale projects, including complex and long-running improvements to the rail system. And despite previous well-documented challenges on projects, we are confident that with the Government’s support and long-term planning, the UK rail industry has the skills and capability to deliver the necessary upgrades to our network, including flagship projects like HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail, Crossrail, Midlands Rail Hub, East West Rail, Trans Pennine Route Upgrade and many more. RIA and our members look forward to working with the Committee on the inquiry to consider how we can deliver these projects efficiently and effectively.”