04.09.17
A series of incredible events
There are a couple of announcements I’d like to make in this editor’s comment, which I believe could be very beneficial to many of our readers.
Firstly, the deadline is fast approaching to enter the UK Rail Industry Awards (UKRIA), which will take place on 22 March 2018 at Battersea Evolution in London.
Now in its fifth year, UKRIA continues to bring together the leaders and decision-makers running the rail industry for the sector’s biggest and most prestigious celebration. The event recognises the hard work and achievement from the dedicated organisations, teams and individuals working tirelessly to deliver an efficient and robust rail network, which continues to be one of the safest in Europe.
Details of the award categories are available at ukria.com. The closing date for entries is 25 September.
My second announcement is that in October RTM will, once again, be hosting TransCityRail North. This includes the daytime conference, which features a jam-packed agenda, and the black-tie networking dinner.
The event, held on 5 October at The Principal Hotel in Manchester, will bring together the leaders from across the region responsible for delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail for a lively and engaging conference, networking dinner and panel discussion covering devolution, infrastructure investment, supply chain engagement, Digital Railway, diversity, freight, northern programmes and HS2.
Information about TransCityRail North, and how to get involved, can be found in this edition and online at: transcityrail.com. Alternatively, you can contact the team on: 0161 833 6320.
Turning my attention to this issue of RTM, we have a great line-up of contributors including Mark Carne, CEO of Network Rail, who discusses the recent Hansford Review and what this means going forward; Sir David Higgins, chairman of HS2 Ltd, talks about the enduring importance of infrastructure, analysing the similarities between the high-speed line and the recently Grade 1 listed Humber Bridge; and Digital Railway’s Stuart Calvert explains the importance of developing a new relationship with the supply chain.
My final piece of news is that this will be my last edition as editor at RTM. After four very happy years working on the title, I’ve decided to move on to pastures new. However, I’m very confident that I will be leaving the title in a very safe pair of hands. So, please read on and enjoy this issue.
David Stevenson
Editor