Rail industry responds to Lord Berkeley’s evidence to House of Lords Committee

28 January 2020


Today, Lord Berkeley gave evidence to the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee on HS2.

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association (RIA), said: "We note Lord Berkeley's contribution to the debate around HS2, and his suggestions for future schemes. 

“The Railway Industry Association and its members believe both HS2 and improvements to the current network are needed, it is not one or the other. HS2 will bring a transformational upgrade in capacity and connectivity, benefiting towns and communities across the UK, whilst we also need to invest in the traditional network, maintaining and building a world-class railway in every part of the country, whether intercity, commuter, or regional and rural lines.

“So we urge both the forthcoming Oakervee and Williams Rail Reviews to fully support both HS2 and other major rail enhancement projects, and herald a new golden age for the railways in the years ahead.”

Notes to Editors

  1. About RIA: The Railway Industry Association (RIA) is the voice of the UK rail supply community. We help to grow a sustainable, high-performing, railway supply industry, and to export UK rail expertise and products. We promote and represent our members’ interests to policy makers, clients and other stakeholders in the UK and overseas. RIA has 300+ companies in membership in a sector that contributes £36 billion in economic growth and £11 billion in tax revenue each year, as well as employing 600,000 people—more than the workforce of Birmingham. It is also a growing industry with the number of rail journeys expected to double over the next 25 years and freight set to grow significantly too. RIA’s membership is active across the whole of railway supply, covering a diverse range of products and services and including both multi-national companies and SMEs (60% by number). RIA works to promote the importance of the rail system to UK plc, to help export UK expertise around the globe and to share best practice and innovation across the industry. www.riagb.org.uk