RIA welcomes GBR 'Whole Industry Strategic Plan' call for evidence

The Government has published the Call for Evidence for the Whole Industry Strategic Plan, the 30-year strategy for the rail industry.  It sets out the five long-term objectives for the industry:

• Meeting customers’ needs
• Delivering financial sustainability
• Contributing to long-term economic growth
• Levelling up and connectivity
• Delivering environmental sustainability

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association (RIA), said: “It is positive to see the call for evidence now launched for a ‘Whole Industry Strategic Plan’, ahead of the restructure of UK rail to Great British Railways.

“A Plan that provides long-term certainty for businesses in rail will be vital in the coming years, to ensure the sector can deliver efficiently and effectively. RIA and our members look forward to working with the new GBR Transition Team to develop the Plan in the months ahead.”

Notes to Editors

1. The Whole Industry Strategic Plan call for evidence 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. RIA has 300+ 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