RIA's Parliamentary reception strikes a positive note

On 17 January, the Railway Industry Association (RIA) held its Parliamentary reception at the House of Commons. Against a background of strikes, service cuts, and uncertainty about rail reforms, RIA’s CEO, Darren Caplan, gave an upbeat assessment of the industry’s future. He noted that, despite the current conditions, passenger numbers had risen this year to 90% of pre-Covid levels with passenger revenue back at record levels. Despite fears that major projects would be cut, Government remains committed to major projects such as HS2 and East West Rail. Furthermore, instead of being cut, the CP7 settlement was slightly more than that of the last control period.

Nevertheless, more needs to be done. RIA is campaigning to ensure the implementation of rail reforms and for the publication of the Rail National Enhancement Plan (RNEP) which was last updated over 1,000 days ago. RIA also had no doubt that HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) needed to be built in full and that a rolling programme of electrification is required to meet the net-zero target.

Shadow Rail Minister Tan Dhesi stressed that there cannot be managed decline as rail recovers from the pandemic. He felt that as rail businesses need the certainty of a pipeline of work, it is unacceptable for RNEP not to have been updated since October 2019. He noted that the ORR considered that over 400km of track per year needs to be electrified to meet rail’s net-zero target. Missing this target would be unacceptable especially as European neighbours have far more electrification than the UK.

He advised that a Labour government would have a rolling electrification programme and that his party is committed to building NPR and HS2, including its eastern leg, in full. He felt this was the best way to maximise the economic potential east of the Pennines. Declaring a conflict of interest as MP for Slough, he also felt it important that a western rail link to Heathrow should be built.

The new Chair of Transport Select Committee Iain Stewart mentioned that his passion for transport had been ignited by watching the line ahead through the glass screens of Glasgow’s blue trains. He acknowledged the issues raised by previous speakers and advised that these would be considered by his committee. Indeed, the next day he was to question his predecessor, Rail Minister Huw Merriman, and wondered if he should ask him “If you were still in my chair, what question would you be asking?”

He believed that as well as investigating problems, his committee had a role to look ahead. In this respect he announced the launch of a new inquiry to consider ‘Our future transport’ for which individuals and companies are invited to submit ideas. Those on the shortlist will then be invited to pitch their ideas to the committee at a Dragon’s Den style hearing.

Rail Minister Huw Merriman reassured Iain that he was doing a good job and set out his priorities. These were: i) settle the industrial disputes and see the agreed productivity measures introduced; ii) implement rail reforms on which he is to make a keynote speech on 7 February; iii) publish RNEP, he agreed that it is pretty shocking that it had not been updated for over 1,000 days; iv) oversee HS2 which he felt was a fantastic project offering decarbonisation benefits, although costs had to be kept under control; and v) drive train operators performance improvements which will also be good for freight.

He felt there had been far too many promises recently for which there was no funding and felt that it was essential that we are honest about what we can and cannot do.

Like all other speakers he thanked those present, in particular RIA for the great work it does for the industry.

The reception also hosted the Rail Fellowship Programme awards ceremony which recognises the contribution of the 2022-23 class of politicians who have taken part in the programme. This sees MPs visit rail suppliers for a ‘hands-on’ experience of what is being done to run the network. MPs given awards at this ceremony included Grant Shapps, Ed Miliband, and Tan Dhesi.