Rail industry welcomes TfN’s Strategic Transport Plan

Transport for the North (TfN) have published their Strategic Transport Plan today, setting out how their plans could add 15 per cent to the regional economy by 2050, with the creation of 850,000 additional jobs.

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association, said: “The Railway Industry Association welcomes the publication of TfN’s Strategic Transport Plan, which contains a route map to developing the north’s transport system and which promotes improved rail networks, and in particular Northern Powerhouse Rail, as key.

“Both the north and the UK’s transport infrastructure more widely will benefit, and rail suppliers around the country stand ready to help deliver. We urge government – both regionally and nationally – to give the Plan the full support it deserves, as we build a world-class rail network to benefit the north and the UK’s economy and connectivity, in what are clearly uncertain times.”

Mike Hulme & Justin Moss, Co Chairs of Northern Rail Industry Leaders (NRIL) said: “Congratulations to TfN on the publication of their Strategic Transport Plan. Next month, on 21 February, Northern rail businesses will be publishing Building the North’s New Railways, a report which will set out how we can work with TfN and partners to make the most out of planned rail investment. Through a partnership with rail businesses, we hope we can deliver even more for passengers, freight and communities across the North”.

1. TfN's Strategic Transport Plan can be found here. 
2. More information about the NRIL Building the North’s New Railways launch can be found here
3.  About NRIL: NRIL brings together businesses to help develop and support the rail industry in the region. It brings together 40 rail organisations in the North of England and is supported by the Railway Industry Association (RIA). The ‘Building the North’s New Railways’ Report will look at how rail suppliers, Transport for the North, Government and key organisations can work together to deliver the best for the region through rail investment.
4. 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. We promote and represent our members’ interests to policy makers, clients and other stakeholders in the UK and overseas. RIA has 250+ companies in membership in a sector that contributes £36 billion in economic growth and £11 billion in tax revenue each year, as well as employing 600,000 people—more than the workforce of Birmingham. It is also a growing industry with the number of rail journeys expected to double over the next 25 years and freight set to grow significantly too. 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). RIA works to promote the importance of the rail system to UK plc, to help export UK expertise around the globe and to share best practice and innovation across the industry.