Railway industry responds to National Infrastructure Commission’s Rail Needs Assessment for the Midlands and North

15 December 2020

The Railway Industry Association, the trade body for the UK rail supply community, has responded to the National Infrastructure Commission’s Rail Needs Assessment for the Midlands and North.

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association (RIA), said: “The National Infrastructure Commission makes the case in its latest report for a consistent programme of rail investment to be delivered in the North and Midlands, including delivering a rolling programme of investments that improves the connectivity in the region. The Railway Industry Association welcomes this analysis, which particularly recognises the need for visibility and ending ‘boom and bust’ profiles of work for rail suppliers, so they are best equipped to deliver effectively and efficiently.

“It is vital we deliver HS2, TransPennine Route Upgrade, Northern Powerhouse Rail and Midlands Engine Rail in full, whilst also delivering decarbonisation and digitalisation across the region’s rail network. If the Government truly wishes to ‘build back better’ it should make rail a key part of the UK’s economic recovery – and not make the Midlands and North choose between crucial schemes.

“We now look forward to the Government’s Integrated Rail Plan, which we hope backs these schemes in full and commits to the jobs, investment and economic growth these projects will bring across the UK.”

Notes to Editors

 

  1. The National Infrastructure Commission’s report can be found here.
  2. The joint submission to the NIC from the Railway Industry Association, Northern Rail Industry Leaders (NRIL) and Rail Fourm Midlands (RFM) can be found here.
  3. 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 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 vital industry for the UK’s economic recovery, supporting green investment and jobs in towns and communities across the UK. 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