24 May 2023
RIA North, a regional arm of the Railway Industry Association (RIA), has today welcomed the publication of Transport for the North’s (TfN) Strategic Rail Report.
The new report explains in detail the interventions that are needed to develop the North’s transport network, complementing the Strategic Transport Plan (STP), a 30-year vision for development of the network.
In order to meet TfN’s three objectives of utilising transport to transform economic performance, boost decarbonisation and reduce social exclusion, the report includes calls for:
- Full delivery of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), High Speed 2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail as these are fundamental to transforming the region’s economic performance.
- A rolling programme of rail electrification as this is key to rapid decarbonisation with development of battery and hydrogen powered trains where conventional electrification can not be justified.
- A consistent and reliable railway service to reduce transport-related social exclusion.
The report also notes that post pandemic recovery in passenger numbers has been strong in the region, with experts predicting that rail demand could grow by between 78% and 193% by 2050.
The new report dovetails neatly with a number of RIA North publications, including ‘Greener, Faster, Better’, which sets out how the North’s railways should be electrified and the ‘Delivering Value’ paper, which outlines a number of best practice approaches to support clients like TfN developing and procuring major projects.
RIA North Chair, Justin Moss, said: “We very much welcome the publication of this report, which is strikingly consistent with RIA’s own calls for the full delivery of the TRU, HS2 and NPR and for a rolling programme of electrification. The prediction of a growth in demand is an important reminder that investment is needed now to prepare for the future.
“The report demonstrates a clear link between investment and the delivery of desired outcomes for people in the region. With Oxford Economics data showing that for every £1 invested in the railway a further £2.50 is generated in the wider economy, RIA North stands ready to work with TfN and DfT to help make the case for this investment and provide practical support when it comes to developing and procuring major projects.
“Separately, RIA North will be making the case for improving the procurement process to make it easier and more cost-effective to ultimately bring about transformational rail upgrades”.
Contact Information
Toby Williams
[email protected]
Notes to editors
About RIA North: RIA North is the voice of the rail supply community in the North of England, representing RIA members across the region. Rail in the North supports £7.7bn in economic growth (GVA), 154,000 jobs and £2.5bn in tax revenue and is an essential industry in delivering the Government's build back better, decarbonisation and levelling-up agendas. www.riagb.org.uk/north
TfN's Strategic Rail Report can be found here.
RIA North’s plan – ‘Greener, Faster, Better – for how the North’s railway should be electrified is available here.
RIA North’s Delivering Value paper sets out a number of best practice approaches to support clients like TfN developing and procuring major projects.
Reach the Oxford Economics report, The Economic Contribution of UK Rail, here.
Notes
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. RIA has 350 companies in membership in a sector that contributes £43 billion in economic growth and £14 billion in tax revenue each year, as well as employing 710,000 people. It is also a vital industry for the UK’s economic recovery, supporting green investment and jobs in towns and communities across the UK; for every £1 spent in rail, £2.50 is generated in the wider economy. 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). www.riagb.org.uk