RIA Update 105 The Voice of the UK Rail Supply Community SUMMER 2018
Transport Secretary confirms Trans Pennine will feature electrification
Transport Committee backs key ‘asks’
The Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling, has written to RIA’s Chief Executive Darren Caplan confirming that the Trans Pennine Route Upgrade The Transport Secretary will involve both civil engineering works and electrification. His letter follows recent uncertainty in the industry after media reports that electrification would not feature in the scheme.
RIA ramps up Brexit activity to prepare rail suppliers for different outcomes In the run up to the UK’s departure from the EU in March 2019, RIA is ramping up its activity on Brexit, with the aim of providing members with the necessary information to prepare and to act as a conduit between the industry and Government. RIA has launched a Brexit Online Community for those interested in the issue to see our latest announcements and resources, and the RIA team will be proactively meeting with Members to discuss how different Brexit outcomes could affect their business. [Continues on Page 4]
Innovation Conference wins Award! RIA has been awarded the Trade Association Conference of the Year Award at a ceremony on 10 July, for its Innovation Conference, which took place over two days in March in Leicestershire. Beginning as a one day seminar in 2009 [Continues on Page 10]
The Transport Select Committee’s rail infrastructure investment inquiry has backed RIA’s key lobbying asks on rail funding and electrification. On funding, the Committee said “We support the Railway Industry Association’s call for the Department for Transport to bring together all the key stakeholders, including suppliers, Network Rail and the Office of Rail and Road, to evaluate the effects of the current system on the renewals spending profile.” Similarly, on electrification, it called for Network Rail and the Government to engage with RIA’s Electrification Cost Challenge to see how the costs of electrification can be reduced. The report follows both written and oral evidence from RIA Chief Executive Darren Caplan and RIA Members.
RIA launches Annual Conference with star line up Under the theme “Growing a sustainable rail industry in uncertain times”, the RIA Annual Conference, taking place on 22 October, will feature one of the most sought-after industry programmes of the year. The event will bring together a number of senior players across the rail industry, including Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, Shadow Transport Secretary Andy McDonald, National Infrastructure Commission Chair Sir John Armitt, Crossrail Chairman Sir Terry Morgan, Porterbrook Chief Executive Officer Mary Grant, Transport for the North Chief Executive Barry White, Midlands Connect Founding Director, Maria P Machancoses, [Continues on Page 10]
The team celebrating the Award win!
Some of the speakers confirmed for the Annual Conference
1/12