Plan for the long term, says RDG

In its response to announced and expected policies by the main political parties, the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) said government and the rail industry must take a “longterm, strategic view on investment to maintain and reinforce rail’s success at delivering economic growth”.

RDG Chief Executive Paul Plummer told RAIL: “We look forward to working with the next government, whatever its political colour, to deliver our promise of a railway that supports a stronger, more secure, skilled economy for the whole of the UK.”

On the need for long-term investment, the RDG says better links for passengers and freight are “key to fostering opportunity across the country, particularly outside the South East”.

It argues that the Digital Railway can achieve planned growth at an “affordable price”, but warns that the rail industry and funders “should be wary of committing to specific projects before they are sufficiently developed, so improvements can be delivered efficiently and effectively”.

Skills are another key demand of the RDG, which is calling on the next government to create a plan “which supports the industry, its supply chain and manufacturing to access the skills they need and to maximise the railway’s role in boosting British exports”.

The idea proposed by the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives of a Rail Ombudsman is supported by the RDG, but on nationalisation it says the rail industry is “investing, competing and innovating to improve as one team”.

While highlighting improvements in the rail industry’s finances since franchising was introduced, it added: “We’ve been clear that the franchising system needs to evolve and we are looking forward to working with the new government to make this work for customers and taxpayers.”