RIA’s Enhancements Clock marks 1 year 111 days

The Railway Industry Association’s Enhancements Clock ticked over to one year and 111 days on February 8 since the last government update on projects in the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline.

The industry body said the last announcement had been made on October 21 2019, and that the Department for Transport had promised to publish the list annually.

It is “respectfully asking” the Government to publish an update on the RNEP so that businesses can plan for future work in the short to medium term, at what it describes as an “uncertain time” for the rail industry.

RIA Chief Executive Darren Caplan said: “Our members are concerned another milestone has passed on publishing an update of the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline list.

“While we are not doubting the support the Government has given the industry over the past year, and we of course recognise the huge impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, rail businesses are simply calling for no more than visibility on the Government’s thinking on upcoming projects, following repeated commitments to keep the supply sector updated on their progress.

“This is not about budget - it is simply a call for clarity on future work.

“2020 saw the Minister and the DfT engaging really positively with the railway industry, and UK rail welcomes the Government’s support to keep the network running through the pandemic. We urge the Government to continue this constructive engagement with rail, and to let us know its thinking on the RNEP as soon as possible.”