UK: The Railway Industry Association’s Midlands & Eastern division has published a paper setting out four priorities for the region’s rail suppliers, emphasising that suppliers are keen to work with regional stakeholders to unlock projects that are due to be funded through the Levelling Up and Sustainable Transport Settlements schemes.
The association’s priorities are:
- Visibility & Stability: building strong relationships among regional stakeholders and suppliers for effective planning and delivery of rail projects, aligning with zero-carbon targets;
- Skills: promoting well-paid green jobs, enhanced apprenticeship programmes and a robust skills base for better value delivery and productivity;
- Innovation: supporting a highly innovative railway sector to drive the decarbonisation agenda efficiently, creating export opportunities and economic growth;
- Decarbonisation: collaborating with the supply chain to lead net zero ambitions, facilitating job creation, investment and economic growth.
The paper also calls for clarity on major project delivery, such as a clear timetable for Midland Main Line Electrification, and for the safeguarding of the planned route of HS2 Phase 2.
‘As rail policy devolves, industry must increasingly engage with the sub national transport bodies, Network Rail routes and the various local communities and stakeholders to deliver on rail’, explained RIA Midlands & Eastern Chair Sekoura Benissad on October 27.
Karen Heppenstall, Head of Integrated Transport at Midlands Connect, said ‘suppliers, Network Rail and regional stakeholders are ready to come together and work with government to deliver major rail schemes and limit the escalation of costs. We can boost economic growth, work towards decarbonisation, and improve skills and innovation, all while making sure projects are value for money.’
