Editor's Comment

03.07.17

Rapid progress needed

Source: RTM Jun/Jul 17

As RTM went to press, the National Infrastructure Commission outlined a list of the ‘top 12’ immediate priorities on which ministers must make rapid progress in the next year. Unsurprisingly, major rail schemes, including HS2, Crossrail 2 and HS3, featured highly in the projects that needed speedy development. 

Lord Adonis stated that all of these have been agreed in principle, “but require decisive action to get them moving in the new Parliament. They ought to be at the top of ministers’ in-trays, and they ought not to linger there a day more than necessary”. 

It was unfortunate, then, that the only project to have been mentioned in the recent Queen’s Speech was that a new bill will be introduced to deliver the next phase of HS2. This is despite the government saying that it “will bring forward proposals to ensure that critical national infrastructure is protected to safeguard national security”. 

As Darren Caplan, CEO of the Railway Industry Association, noted, it was welcome news to hear the commitment to transport infrastructure, but concerns remain about the lack of commitment to Crossrail 2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail. He added that the green light must be given quickly to progress these schemes. 

I’m sure that within the coming weeks and months, we will have a clearer direction of travel for the government in the new Parliament. There were, for example, a few fast and furious announcements made shortly after purdah restrictions were lifted, including the shortlists for the South Eastern and West Coast Partnership franchises (more on page 4) and the news that First MTR had signed a £895m deal with Bombardier for new Aventra trains to run on the South Western network (more on page 6).

Collaboration and innovation are key themes running throughout this edition, with contributors providing RTM with an update on the development of the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (page 66), Network Rail explaining how it intends to change its relationship with whoever wins the new Wales & Borders franchise (page 74) and Imperial College London discussing its investigation into the use of solar energy to power the rail network (page 60).

One of my favourite articles is about the 2017 instalment of the Big Rail Diversity Challenge (page 26), where RTM finished in a respectable fifth place. Our reporter, Josh Mines, gives a fantastic account of what happened throughout the day, which included everything from herding ducks to blindfolded Land Rover racing. Once again, the event achieved its aim by proving that gender-balanced teams really do work better together. I can’t wait for next year’s event.

I hope you enjoy this jam-packed edition of RTM.

David Stevenson

Editor

Front cover image © Paul Hudson: www.flickr.com/photos/pahudson

Comments

There are no comments. Why not be the first?

Add your comment

rail technology magazine tv

more videos >

latest rail news

HS2 Ltd: Five tech firms join Innovation Accelerator initiative

11/09/2020HS2 Ltd: Five tech firms join Innovation Accelerator initiative

HS2 Ltd have announced today (11 Sept) the first five revolutionary tech firms that will join HS2 Ltd’s Innovation Accelerator programme. ... more >
Network Rail publish Decarbonisation Plan

11/09/2020Network Rail publish Decarbonisation Plan

Network Rail have released their interim Traction Decarbonisation Network Strategy, illustrating its preliminary recommendations for decarbonisin... more >
Trains kept moving by AWC despite damaged overhead wires

11/09/2020Trains kept moving by AWC despite damaged overhead wires

Avanti West Coast have taken an unlikely option to allow their timetable to run, without delays, despite damaged overhead wires. The operato... more >
GTR spreads messages of support on Suicide Prevention Day

10/09/2020GTR spreads messages of support on Suicide Prevention Day

As today (10 Sept) mark the annual World Suicide Prevention Day, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), have revealed ‘Affirmation Art’ clus... more >

comment

The challenge of completing Crossrail

05/07/2019The challenge of completing Crossrail

With a new plan now in place to deliver Crossrail, Hedley Ayres, National Audit Office manager, major projects and programmes, takes a look at ho... more >
Preparing the industry to deliver trains for the future

04/07/2019Preparing the industry to deliver trains for the future

The move to decarbonise the rail network involves shifting to cleaner modes of traction by 2050. David Clarke, technical director at the Railway ... more >
Sunshine future beckons for South Wales Railways, says 10:10 Climate Action’s Leo Murray

02/07/2019Sunshine future beckons for South Wales Railways, says 10:10 Climate Action’s Leo Murray

Smart electrification is the way to boost clean energy resources, argues Leo Murray, director at 10:10 Climate Action. Contractors are clear... more >
Ambition doesn’t have to be expensive, says Midland Connect's Maria Machancoses

02/07/2019Ambition doesn’t have to be expensive, says Midland Connect's Maria Machancoses

The TCR Midlands conference is only days away and tickets are going fast for the sector event of the year at the Vox Conference Centre in Birming... more >

editor's comment

23/01/2018Out with the old...

Despite a few disappointing policy announcements, especially for the electrification aficionados amongst us, 2017 was, like Darren Caplan writes on page 20, a year generally marked by positive news for the rail industry. We polished off the iconic Ordsall Chord (p32), hit some solid milestones on Thameslink (p40), progressed on ambitious rolling stock orders (p16), and finally started moving forward on HS2 (p14) ‒ paving the way for a New Ye... read more >

last word

Encouraging youngsters to be safe on the railway

Encouraging youngsters to be safe on the railway

This summer, Arriva Group's CrossCountry and the Scout Association joined to launch a new partnership to promote rail safety among young people. ... more > more last word articles >

interviews

Andrew Haines, CE of Network Rail, tells BBC News his organisation could issue future rail franchises

24/06/2019Andrew Haines, CE of Network Rail, tells BBC News his organisation could issue future rail franchises

Andrew Haines, the Chief Executive of Network Rail, has told the Today programme on Radio 4's BBC’s flagship news programme that he wo... more >
Advancing the rail industry with management degree apprenticeships

08/05/2019Advancing the rail industry with management degree apprenticeships

In answering the pressing questions of how current and future generations of managers can provide solutions to high-profile infrastructure projec... more >
Women in rail - is the industry on the right track?

12/03/2019Women in rail - is the industry on the right track?

RTM sits down with Samantha Smith, sole female member of the TransPennine Route Upgrade Alliance Leadership Team, to find out more about encourag... more >

rail industry focus

View all News

'the sleepers' daily blog

On the right track, Sulzer is awarded RISAS accreditation for Nottingham Service Centre

29/06/2020On the right track, Sulzer is awarded RISAS accreditation for Nottingham Service Centre

Following an independent audit, Sulzer’s Nottingham Service Centre has been accepted as part of the rail industry supplier approval scheme (R... more >
read more blog posts from 'the sleeper' >