Plant operators state spending fears

The Rail Plant Association says companies operating in the sector face an uncertain future, and that members believe current workload levels have fallen to a point where irreparable damage to the rail maintenance supply chain could take years to repair.

In a discussion paper published on October 10, it claims RPA members are working at 70% of workload capacity compared with recent levels during the week, and as little as 60% at weekends, with little change in future work banks.

It is calling for a review of the rail infrastructure industry, concentrating on efficiency, work patterns and the commissioning process.

It also wants an industry and stakeholder-led working group that meets regularly with the Government, support for the industry so that it can retain and maintain skills, and a culture change to the rules-based compliance model.

On the latter point, the paper says: “We are not calling for regulations to be compromised in any way…. but we do need realism and an honest discussion within the industry, Network Rail and the Government in identifying where this culture of inflexibility around compliance is having an adverse impact on rail plant operators and is adding to the economic burden such companies face.”

A Railway Industry Association survey in 2018 found that 61% of respondents have frozen recruitment, 45% decided against investment, and 96% believe more must be done to address peaks and troughs in work.