RIA urges inclusion of electrification in Transport Decarbonisation Plan

26 March 2020


Today the Government has published a Policy Paper setting out how it will develop its Transport Decarbonisation Plan.

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association (RIA), responded: “Now, during the Coronavirus outbreak, it is a difficult time for the railway industry, but also Government and railway clients. So it is good to see the positive news that the Department for Transport is considering how it will decarbonise the UK transport network, with the publication of this Policy Paper today. It is particularly welcome to see that the Government ‘recognise that electrifying more of the railway is likely to be necessary’.

“The rail industry is clear that, in order to decarbonise the network by 2040, a rolling programme of electrification is required, whilst utilising new technologies like hydrogen and battery on rural lines, or as an intermediary solution.

“Whilst we await Network Rail’s Traction Decarbonisation Strategy, and the Government’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan, we urge the Government to bring forward electrification schemes before current projects around the UK are completed, so that the rail sector can avoid losing valuable expertise, skills and capability in delivering electrification.”

Notes to Editors

  1. ‘Decarbonising Transport: Setting the Challenge’ can be found here
  2. 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