The re-start / the return to rail

Dear RIA colleagues - Welcome to the June Update

1. The Williams Review

Of course, the biggest development since the last Update has to be the publication of the Williams Review, albeit a couple of years after we were first expecting it!

Renamed the ‘Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail’, the Review sets out a 30-year strategy, which aims to simplify UK rail, and is positioned as non-ideological between nationalisation and privatisation. There will be a new entity – Great British Railways (GBR) – and a ‘guiding mind’ head leading the restructure, in the shape initially of Network Rail Chief Executive Andrew Haines.

On the railway industry side of the Plan, the initial runes seem positive: it supports modernisation and investment, and is very much in line with many of the recommendations RIA and members sought in the RIA Rail 2050 manifesto, published in November 2019 (just before the last General Election) – see here. We of course support the Plans ambition to attract passengers and freight back to the network.

However, we are told that much is yet to be consulted on and worked out before the Plan is implemented, although bearing in mind the next General Election could be as early as Spring 2023 one would expect to see progress on and implementation of at least some of the Plan before then. It is crucial for RIA members, though, that the proposed restructure does not cause a hiatus either now or in the future in the work rail suppliers are doing to renew and enhance railway infrastructure or rolling stock. A quick precis of the RIA ‘asks’ in our RIA Rail 2050 Manifesto can be found on the left.

2. The re-start / the return to rail

The Williams Review comes on the cusp of what looks like the most significant re-opening of UK society since the lockdown of March 2020. RIA is very clear that we will continue as a physical trade association that does some virtual, and not the other way round.

Indeed, as a transport organisation it would be bizarre for us not to promote the virtues of travelling to see people in-person, whether for work, visiting friends or family, or leisure. RIA’s new premises, in the Kings Buildings, Smith Square, Westminster, have been chosen and fitted out specifically with hosting meetings, events, and networking in mind. We look forward to seeing you soon. RIA is optimistic about the return to travel. The evidence of previous pandemics, recessions and other crises is that they tend not to impact on the medium and long term rise in transport passenger numbers. And if the Government is serious about, what we at RIA call the Four Gs – Growth, Geography (levellingup), Green, and Global (exports-driven) – then rail sits right at the apex of all this. We should bear in mind that millions of people want to travel to visit people; that the vast majority of jobs still require workers to attend work places; and that of the jobs which can be done from home, it is likely the majority of the time these employees will still be commuting to workplaces. Let’s wait and see a few months what actually happens when society reopens, rather than plan on suppositions and forecasts.

3. Finally, events again…

So on the theme of meeting up, Team RIA colleagues really do look forward to catching up with you in person soon. As a starter, we’re teaming up with the Rail Alliance, RFM and RFG at Rail Live on 17 June to enable suppliers and colleagues around the railway industry to come together informally after almost 18 months apart. There’ll be coffee and nibbles so come and join us in Zone E, GARDEN_01, opposite the RL organisers office between 10am and 2pm. Please contact events@riagb.org.uk for further details. We really look forward to seeing you there! Best wishes, Darren Caplan, Chief Executive

RIA's Rail 2050 Manifesto asks: What's in the Rail Plan?

1. Development of a long term, 30-year strategy that promotes private investment.

2. The smoothing of 'boom and bust' in rail infrastructure and rolling stock investment, and improvement to the visibility of upcoming enhancement upgrade projects.

3. A better balance in the train fleet between new and upgraded trains.

4. Decarbonisation of the railway, through a rolling programme of electrification for intensively used lines and by using battery, hydrogen and other technologies.

5. Digitalisation of the railway through deployment of modern digital signalling technology.

6. Commitment to major rail projects including HS2, TransPennine Route Upgrade, Northern Powerhouse Rail, East West Rail, Midlands Rail Hub and Crossrail 2, amongst others.

7. Government to work with the rail industry to set priorities for innovation and collaboration between rail organisations.

8. Government to consider the role of the rail industry as a key UK exporter, when developing new trade agreements. 1. A commitment to publish a 30-year strategic plan for the rail sector. 2. A commitment to long-term investment plans and clear visibility of GBR and Government's ambitions for rail. 3. Continued engagement with the supply chain on rolling stock procurement. 4. Plans to decarbonise the railways in line with trend of greening public transport. 5. The 30-year strategy will include plans to manage and develop digital signalling. 6. Highlights commitments to deliver HS2, as well as key projects across the UK which are due to be outlined in the Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands and further electrification. 7. Highlights importance of innovation from private sector and bodies such as UKRRIN to improve industry performance. 8. The Plan says that "Government will continue to support exporters to take advantage of emerging global trade opportunities".