Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail: A Consultation on Legislation to Implement Rail Transformation

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July 2022 Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail: A Consultation on Legislation to Implement Rail Transformation 1.

INTRODUCTION

1.1.

This submission constitutes the response from the Railway Industry Association (RIA) to the Department for Transport’s (DfT) consultation on the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail and legislative changes to implement rail reform.

2.

BACKGROUND TO RIA

2.1.

RIA is the trade association for UK-based suppliers to the UK and world-wide railways. It has over 300 companies in membership covering all aspects of rolling stock and infrastructure supply and a diverse range of products and services. As well as most of the Tier 1 contractors and large, multi-national companies, over 60% of RIA’s membership base is comprised of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs).

2.2.

RIA’s supplier members represent the full range of UK rail disciplines, working on renewals, enhancements, rolling stock, signalling, electrification, and retail.

2.3.

RIA provides its members with extensive services, including: • Representation of the supply industry’s interests to Government, regional and national transport bodies, rail clients – eg Network Rail (NR), HS2, TfL – and other key stakeholders; • Providing opportunities for dialogue and networking between members; • Supply chain improvement initiatives; • Supporting innovation through the Unlocking Innovation programme and UKRRIN (UK Rail Research and Innovation Network); • Provision of technical, commercial and political information every week; and • Export promotion, including organising and creating Great branded UK Pavilions at key rail exhibitions overseas.

2.4.

RIA recognises that equality, diversity and inclusion drive innovation, financial performance and success. Together with Women in Rail, RIA is promoting an ‘Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Charter’ for rail, which has the potential to support social mobility, grow UK STEM skills, create local opportunities, and increase the talent pool from which the future leadership of the rail sector will be drawn.

3.

FIVE TESTS FOR GREAT BRITISH RAILWAYS

3.1.

RIA has published Five Tests for Great British Railways, highlighting the key areas which the new organisation will need to focus on to ensure the restructure is a success (see Section 6.2 for more information on this).1 They are: • No hiatus in current work: More than 70% of Network Rail’s spend is with the private sector – and there should not be a pause in this work; • Transparency: Be clear and transparent with rail suppliers, to allow them to deliver; • Partnership: GBR needs to be an open and accessible client, and partner with the private sector for the best results;

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https://www.riagb.org.uk/RIA/Newsroom/Publications%20Folder/Five_Tests.aspx

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