Visibility of, and confidence in, a relatively stable future pipeline of work allows suppliers to ensure there are appropriately trained staff, and equipment ready to deliver. It also helps ensure healthy competition. A ‘boom and bust’ investment profile increases the cost of work and undermines the job security of a highly skilled workforce.
Only Government is in a position to look across the whole portfolio to schedule and sequence work to optimise the efficiency of the supply chain. It is now over four years since the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline (RNEP) was last published, and a clear rolling stock pipeline is urgently needed. At present, companies in the rail sector do not know which projects will happen, when, or what funding is allocated.
RIA has campaigned for the publication of a clear visible pipeline, and has given evidence at the House of Commons Transport Select Committee to highlight the issue, as the way it can be improved.