Update Winter 2020
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10 Reasons to Continue to Invest in Rail 6. Rail can lead the green recovery – It is not possible to meet zero carbon goals for transport without rail. Rail is a green mode of mass transit, contributing to just 2.5% greenhouse gas emissions from transport and only 0.6% of total UK emissions. 7. Rail cannot easily be mothballed - Once rail infrastructure is decommissioned, it is not easily reopened. 8. Rail investment has a knock-on economic impact - For every £1 spent on the rail network, £2.20 value is delivered in the wider economy. 9. Investment cannot wait – Much of the rail spending planned cannot be postponed, in order to meet our decarbonisation and digitalisation targets. 10. There is a clear window to get work done – The pandemic has provided an opportunity to get work done without impacting services, which should be capitalised on before passenger and freight numbers return. Published ahead of the Spending Review, RIA will be using this document to make the case for continued rail investment over the coming weeks and months ahead.
RIA has published a new short document highlighting 10 reasons the Government should continue to invest in rail, following the Coronavirus pandemic. The document makes the case that policy decisions about the future of rail should not be based on the shortterm impact of Coronavirus on passenger numbers, during a clearly exceptional period – and nor should they be based on unsubstantiated forecasts of the future, with past forecasts often proving to be underestimates. The 10 reasons include: 1. Rail is a long-term game – Investments in infrastructure or rolling stock are usually delivered and create continuing value for passengers and the wider economy over years. 2. The reduction in passenger numbers is likely to be temporary – Based on previous economic slumps in the 1980s, 1990s and post-2008, and past health crises, passenger numbers have always recovered to continue their pattern of growth. 3. Rail is not just for passengers – It is also vital for freight, with over 4 billion tonnes being delivered annually before Coronavirus. 4. Rail travel is clean and safe – A study undertaken by RSSB in August 2020 has estimates that the risk of infection per passenger journey is 1-in-11,000 journeys, with similar results found in other countries. 5. Investment can support the whole of the UK – The rail network touches almost every part of the country and has the potential to unlock a new generation of talent.
Member Survey results announced
The results of an independent Pulse survey of RIA members has been published: • 84% now say they are either ‘Really or quite happy’ with their membership compared to 75% at the start of the year. • The satisfaction score ‘Really happy’ highest category, has increased from 34% in 2017 to 52% in 2020. • This year, 88% surveyed said they believe RIA is playing a leadership role as the voice of the UK rail supply community; and 85% feel RIA has been performing really or quite well as the ‘go-to’ body for advising on government policy. 22 Headfort Place, London SW1X 7RY +44 (0) 207 201 0777
Annual Conference sees Are you ready for EU Exit? year end with a bang RIA's Annual Conference took place virtually, for the first time this year, from 4 to 6 November 2020, with over 400 people attending. The event saw leading industry figures speak about the impact of Coronavirus has had over the past year and how rail can recover. Speakers included Rail Minister Chris HeatonHarris MP, Transport for London Commissioner Andy Byford, Porterbrook Chief Executive Mary Grant, Network Rail Chairman Sir Peter Hendy and Florence Eshalomi MP AM. Read our Special Report on page 12
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With the uncertainty around the UK's exit of the EU at the end of December, RIA is gearing up to support members at this critical time. At the time of writing no deal has yet been confirmed, with negotiations possibly running through December. RIA Policy Director Kate Jennings and Exports Director Neil Walker are leading on this work, and are supported by other Team RIA colleagues too. Between them, they will be available to answer any questions, or go digging on RIA members' behalf, over the coming weeks and months, to do whatever they can to help members. Read more on page 9. ria@riagb.org.uk www.riagb.org.uk