Greenwood becomes RIA Rail Fellow

Transport Select Committee Chairman Lilian Greenwood has been named as the Railway Industry Association’s third RIA Rail Fellow, after spending a day observing remodelling work at Derby station and visiting Balfour Beatty’s Rail Innovation Centre on September 17.

The visit was organised by RIA and Rail Forum Midlands, as part of its Rail Fellowship Programme which showcases the rail industry to ‘influential’ MPs.

During the visit, Nottingham South MP Greenwood said: “It was exciting to see all the great work that is being done in the rail industry, and to meet the people on the ground who are making it happen.

“From manufacturing trains to software and digital innovation, the rail sector has been at the heart of the Midlands’ economy for over a century, and I was happy to see first-hand the transformative impact investment in rail is continuing to have on the region, and the whole of the UK.

“Visiting Balfour Beatty’s new Rail Innovation Centre gave me a great insight into the crucial work being done to bring the Digital Railway to Britain, and secure all the benefits that come with it. I was also pleased to tour Derby station and see for myself the investment being delivered to provide better journeys for the four million customers who use the station every year.”

RIA Chief Executive Darren Caplan added: “The work of our rail sector is vital to the UK economy, and Derby is a crucial rail cluster which drives the growth of the industry. We are delighted that Lilian has completed such an important visit and welcome her to the RIA Rail Fellowship Programme, Class of 2018!”