Faster projects
Prime Minister backs scheme to develop ways for the industry to work faster, smarter and more efficiently.
THE rail industry has received the backing of Prime Minister Boris Johnson - but Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris has warned that current levels of investment cannot be taken for granted.
Addressing the Railway Industry Association’s Project SPEED conference on February 26, Johnson said: “The reason this government is making investments in infrastructure, including the biggest investment in rail since the Victorian age, is that we know it is by infrastructure, innovation and skills that we will spread opportunity around the country.
“Because we know that good efficient mass transit systems are the great social and economic levellers and bringers of hope.
“It’s thanks to your efforts that post COVID-19 Britain will be propelled by a new generation of electric or even hydrogen trains. Reopening Beeching lines, renewing the very musculoskeletal system of the country.
“As we together seize this opportunity to build back better and faster and greener, you will have the fervent support of this government.”
Heaton-Harris emphasised the importance of rail to the nation’s post-COVID recovery, but he added: “After a decade of rail investment and with the nation’s finances in a very different position to a year ago, we must, must, must guard against complacency.
“The success of the current rail programme will strongly influence any future choices which are made about future investment - future investment that we simply cannot take for granted.”
He added that the rail industry must offer a strong business case, excellent value, trust and confidence that schemes will be completed on time and on budget, and a reputation as a dependable partner that is easy to engage with at every level.
He highlighted some of the early successes of Project SPEED and said that changes to the railway following the Williams Review would get different parts of the railway to work much more closely together.
“Project Speed will dovetail with all these changes to make sure the railway moves forward as one industry, making sure the lessons learned with one scheme are applied universally.”
He said Project SPEED “must be about empowering the railway to be radical in its thinking” and concluded by saying the Government plans to recognise the best and most creative and most innovative ideas of Project Speed in future industry awards.
At the conference, five key ‘asks’ were made by RIA, Rail Alliance and Rail Forum Midlands:
A partnership approach between the Department for Transport, Network Rail and the supply chain that embeds early supplier involvement and collaboration, and which recognises all parties have a key role to play in reducing time/costs on projects.
A cross-industry approach to identify practical solutions, such as improved access to track and improved planning processes. A clear investment roadmap. A new transparent approach to risk and benefits sharing.
Recognition that the whole industry workforce is key to success.
RIA Chief Executive Darren Caplan said: “In order to make Project SPEED a success, we need government and Network Rail to work closely with the supply chain in a collaborative fashion, as partners, to reduce the time and cost of future projects.”
NR Chief Executive Andrew Haines added: “There has never been a more important time to make the case for rail. The pandemic has spurred us to make real progress in removing barriers that have long hindered industry transformation. But of course, there is still much more to do, and we will do that faster and more effectively when we work together across the industry.”