Press Release

RIA Northern Ireland publishes rail manifesto ahead of Stormont Elections

21 April 2022

The Railway Industry Association (RIA) Northern Ireland has published its manifesto for rail ahead of the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections in May.

The Manifesto sets out four key recommendations for the nation, where rail supports £900m in economic growth and 17,500 jobs. The recommendations include:

  • Provide a clear medium to long term rail investment strategy, and recognise the importance of certainty to support cost effective rail supply chain delivery.
  • Work with the rail supply chain to develop a deliverable, long term rail decarbonisation strategy. This will enable it to meet passenger and freight needs and Net Zero carbon goals, including on electrification, hydrogen and battery trains.
  • Place innovation at the industry’s core and begin a programme of modern signalling renewals.
  • Support the recommendations set out in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review. 

Neil Walker, RIA Northern Ireland Lead, said: "The upcoming Northern Ireland elections provide an opportunity to support the nation's economic recovery through rail investment, as passengers begin returning to the network post-Coronavirus.

"RIA Northern Ireland's recommendations, developed with RIA Members in the nation, focus on providing long term visibility for businesses, decarbonisation, innovation and signalling and supporting the All-Island Strategic Rail Review. By working with the rail supply chain in these areas, the Northern Ireland Government can help support a thriving railway system, thereby supporting greater investment, jobs and economic growth."

Notes to Editors
  1. The RIA Northern Ireland Manifesto can be found here.
  2. About RIA Northern Ireland: RIA Northern Ireland is the voice of the Northern Irish rail supply community, representing RIA members across the nation. Rail in Northern Ireland supports £900mn in economic growth (GVA), 17,500 jobs and £300mn in tax revenue and is an essential industry in supporting the Net Zero and investment agendas
  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 £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