RIA calls for clarity on the Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands, one year on from publication

On the first anniversary of the publication of the Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands (IRP), RIA North Chair, Justin Moss, said:

“Yesterday’s Autumn Statement from the Chancellor confirmed that key major rail projects, including HS2, “core” Northern Powerhouse Rail and East West Rail, would be going ahead, and this is positive news. However, a year on from the publication of the Integrated Rail Plan for the North & Midlands, the railway industry and rail passengers are still awaiting further details of the specific schemes in this Plan, and remain in the dark about likely scope and timescales. This situation has only been exacerbated by the ever-changing scope of NPR and any consequential impact on wider IRP plans.

“We welcomed the publication of the IRP last November because it provided confirmation on funding and greater clarity on the Government’s priorities, but now the industry needs further certainty on the scope of IRP projects and specific timescales. Providing this clarity isn’t just important to the supply sector, it is also key to the core motivation behind the IRP: delivering customer benefits as quickly and efficiently as possible to support the levelling up of the country”. 

1. 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
2. About RIA North: RIA North is the voice of the rail supply community in the North of England, representing RIA members across the region. Rail in the North support £7.7bn in economic growth (GVA), 154,000 jobs and £2.5bn in tax revenue and is an essential industry in delivering the Government's build back better, decarbonisation and levelling-up agendas. www.riagb.org.uk/north