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What is RIA?
RIA is the national, award-winning trade association for UK-based suppliers to the railway industry
Established almost 150 years ago, the Railway Industry Association (RIA) has 300+ member companies from across the supply chain, over 60 per cent of which are small or medium sized enterprises (SMEs). As the voice of the UK rail supply community, RIA supports the delivery of a bigger and better rail industry, representing the sector as an essential generator of economic growth, jobs and investment, supporting a low carbon form of mass transit for communities across the UK.
RIA regularly engages with Ministers and civil servants in Government. We also work closely with all major rail clients across the UK. We collaborate with a range of industry partners to help drive positive change in our sector, on areas such as decarbonisation, equality and diversity innovation, and supporting SMEs. We also support the work of the Rail Supply Group, a Governmentbacked initiative to drive improvement in the railway industry.
Representing members’ interests
RIA holds regular events with Ministers and politicians for members to join, feed into consultations, and run a range of campaigns on major issues for the industry. RIA hosts client workshops and meetings for members to engage directly with and feed back to clients including Network Rail, HS2, Transport for London (TfL) and East West Rail (EWR). RIA also hosts visits at member sites with politicians as part of our Rail Fellowship Programme.
RIA Consultants Group
The RIA Consultants Group holds networking events with client and stakeholder presentations three times a year. These are free to attend for all RIA members with an interest in rail design and consultancy. The RIA Consultants Group leads on best practice on procurement for world class design and delivery, enabling growth and unlocking opportunities for the UK rail sector. The Group supports the sector through a range of activities and networking events, and will now strengthen the way it represents its members to key clients and decision makers.
Offering a forum
RIA runs a substantial events programme, holding over 70 events every year. Many of these are RIA Interest Groups, which cover a wide range of technical and policybased subjects. The Groups are curated by RIA technical and policy teams and hear from senior industry figures on industry initiatives / major developments. Members can participate in rail industry committees or groups (e.g. the SME Group or Public Affairs and Communications Network) to network with industry colleagues. RIA holds two flagship conferences each year: the upcoming RIA Annual Conference which is taking place on 10-11 November and the RIA Innovation Conference.
Keeping members up to date
RIA assists with the development of technical strategies, standards development, promoting innovation and sustainability, and helping RIA members with product acceptance and staying up to date with the latest research and legislation. RIA does this at both UK and international levels, particularly promoting the interests of the UK railway supply industry in the European arena. RIA sends out five weekly mailings, as well as a range of other communications which you can tailor to suit your interests.
Providing a platform for members
RIA’s Members News section of the website hosts press releases sent by members, which are then shared across its social media channels. The RIA Innovation of the Month regularly features innovative products or services developed by members.
Promote exports of members’ products and services
RIA hosts trade missions and events and has a close relationship with the Department for International Trade (DIT), who it often partners with. RIA regularly attends overseas trade shows and hosts pavilions in countries including India and Australia and offers members the opportunity to get involved. If you are interested in joining RIA as a member, please get in touch by emailing membership@riagb.org.uk
News In Brief
Ria Responds To Rail Reform Announcement
The Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, has set out the next steps for rail reform at the George Bradshaw Address.
Responding to the speech, Railway Industry Association (RIA) Chief Executive Darren Caplan said: ‘The Railway Industry Association and our members will welcome the clarity on rail reform provided by Transport Secretary Mark Harper. The clarity around GBR, which the Secretary of State was clear will be a strategic guiding mind rather than a controlling mind, is essential to ensuring that rail projects are delivered cost-effectively and efficiently by the rail supply chain, providing value for money to both the fare payer and the taxpayer.
‘Last year RIA published ‘Five Tests for Great British Railways’, highlighting the key areas the railway supply sector wants the new organisation to focus on, to ensure rail reform is a success: preventing a hiatus in rail work, transparency, partnership with rail businesses, productivity, and ambition for a restructure which leaves a positive legacy in terms of safety, decarbonisation, exports and the economy.
‘The clarity provided in the Transport Secretary’s speech today goes some way to providing reassurance on the issues of preventing a hiatus in work, more transparency and partnership with the private sector. The commitment to publish a long-term strategy for rail later this year is also very welcome. However, more still needs to be done to ensure there is a smooth and visible pipeline of work, and that rail suppliers are represented in plans to develop the pipeline, during what will be a period of significant change for the industry going forward. It is also important for industry to hear more about the positive legacy of GBR, in addition to the Transport Secretary’s welcome comments about better connecting people and resources.
‘It is now essential the Government sticks to its plans and prioritises swift delivery, as certainty not just helps the supply chain deliver transformational rail projects in an effective and efficient way, but also enables the sector to make an even greater contribution when it comes to the UK’s economic growth, job creation, decarbonisation and the levelling-up agenda.
Designing a new station for Kidsgrove
Kidsgrove station is north of Stoke-on-Trent, served by trains on the Crewe to Derby Line. It is owned by Network Rail and managed by East Midlands Railway.
Ridge was commissioned by Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council in conjunction with Staffordshire County Council, Network Rail and East Midlands Railway to:
Identify and appraise options for the redevelopment of Kidsgrove railway station;
Produce a concept design to RIBA Stage 2; and
Develop a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) for the preferred option
Capitalising on the Government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda, the project will deliver part of the longterm strategic vision to unlock Kidsgrove’s potential via a co-ordinated programme of regeneration. It includes improvements to station buildings, car park and interchange facilities to benefit station users, visitors and Kidsgrove’s residents.
RIBA Stage 2
Design 8,148 sq m
Land development
200 space
New car park
Ridge has been supporting Transport for West Midlands (formerly Centro) for over 13 years with the expansion and development of the West Midlands Metro.
Another milestone for West Midlands Metro
In the summer of 2022, the West Midlands Metro further expanded its network to bring passenger services to Edgbaston Village and all in time for the opening of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Passenger tram services on the new West Midlands Metro extension from the Library of Birmingham to Edgbaston commenced on 17th July. This represents phase two of the Birmingham Westside extension taking the line along Broad Street to the Hagley Road, adding a further three stops along the way.
This important milestone was achieved just before the spotlight came to Birmingham as it hosted the hugely successful 22nd Commonwealth Games. The tram network played an important part in moving people around the city to the many hotels, hospitality businesses and entertainment venues in the area.
Ridge has been supporting Transport for West Midlands (formerly Centro) for over 13 years with the expansion and development of the West Midlands Metro. During this time, we have worked as an integral part of the client team, providing programme and project management services across a wide variety of projects including depot expansions, track renewals, track extensions, advance utility divisions, and battery conversions to the tram fleet.
Most recently, we have been working closely with the Metro operator and the tram manufacturer to provide client oversight and management of an extensive repair programme as a result of cracks found in the older vehicles. Sufficient vehicles were repaired in time to allow passenger services to resume on the line through Birmingham City centre and the new Westside extension.
Contact:
Elliot Patsanza, Partner elliotpatsanza@ridge.co.uk
07771 844385
Contact:
Chris Haworth, Partner chaworth@ridge.co.uk
07740 959422
