Rail post-Brexit

The railway can be Britain’s “economic anchor” and has the power to create secure jobs, says RDG chairman.

THE railway can be Britain’s economic anchor post-Brexit, Rail Delivery Group Chairman Chris Burchell was due to tell the National Rail Conference on June 15 (after this issue of RAIL went to press).

In his speech at the event in Birmingham, organised by RAIL, Burchell described the railway as the “economic backbone” of the country, and said that in uncertain times rail has the power to create secure jobs with “high skills, decent pay and long-term prospects”.

Independent analysis commissioned by the RDG shows that 24,000 more people are working for the industry and its supply chain, compared with two years ago. That represents a growth of 11%, compared with 3% growth in employment across the rest of the UK. Rail’s increase is in construction technology and engineering roles, he explained.

Burchell also highlighted that 100,000 further job opportunities will be available in the industry over the next decade, while analysis from independent consultancy Oxera shows the industry and its supply chain contribute up to £10.4 billion in Gross Value Added each year to the British economy, equivalent to one-quarter of the UK’s entire schools budget.

“We should be proud of our role as a major national employer. Ours is a genuine growth industry for skills and jobs,” said Burchell.

“Investment in rail is improving Britain’s railway now and for the long term, making journeys better and delivering for local communities. This is a massive opportunity for social and economic good.”

Burchell pointed out how this will also benefit the UK in general: “As we invest, we will create more long-term, secure jobs, and that means more opportunities, more taxpayers, more national wealth. This is what the railway is offering the next generation of young people thinking about their future.

“In an uncertain world and an uncertain UK, the railway - long the economic backbone of this country - can provide some surety, be an anchor in stormy seas, and help deliver the prosperity we seek post-Brexit.” @Clinnick1

For full NRC coverage, see RAIL 830, published July 5.

JOHN STRETTON. Safely inside its home, 800005 stands inside Hitachi Rail Europe’s Stoke Gifford depot (near Bristol) on June 6. PostBrexit, the rail industry will be an economic anchor, says Rail Delivery Group Chairman Chris Burchell, with 24,000 jobs to be created...

Burchell: “Investment in rail is improving Britain’s railway now and for the long term.”