TCR Midlands 2022: How rail can benefit local economies

It goes without saying that investment and innovation into the railways improves services and reliability for passengers, but it can also play a vital wider economic role too. By bringing together people, places and opportunities, regions are able to supercharge their local populations and economies.

People can access greater employment opportunities. Businesses have access to a richer talent pool. Buyers, suppliers and manufacturers are able to transport their goods more easily and sustainably. As a rail network, we can play a significant role in delivering the Government’s levelling up agenda.

Joining host Helen Fospero for a lively panel debate were:

One of those key improvements to support this will come with the rolling stock running on the rail network, with Avanti West Coast being one of the train operating companies driving forward with this.

Phil Whittingham said: “We’ve been working very closely with the local authorities and the Department for Transport [to improve services].

“We’ve got some new trains coming that are very carbon efficient.”

As touched on by Phil, boosting rail connectivity also has positive implications for regional net-zero ambitions too, with Hannah Richmond explaining that many of the key pillars were in place to deliver on the sector potential – particularly within freight services.

She said: “The industry has the right framework to deliver net-zero. A single freight train can take 78 HGVs off the road.”

It will take a collaborative effort from all stakeholders in the rail industry, but the opportunities and benefits are there to be seen.

The full TCR Midlands 2022 panel can be viewed above. For more information on attending one of our TransCityRail events, click here.

RTM OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023

RTM OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023

Putting Passengers First

This issue highlights the latest topics within the rail industry, from decarbonising the Midlands, improving rail safety, meeting the future priorities of Scotland's Railway & more!                                                      

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TransCityRail is a series of regional, interactive and insightful events across the country bringing together leaders, collaborators, problem solvers and innovators in a creative and invigorating way.
 

This series of events supports and informs the whole of the rail industry and connects suppliers with buyers, specifiers, leaders and decision-makers looking to procure a wide variety of innovative products and services for their region.

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The North of England is home to almost a quarter of the UK’s entire population, so it’s no surprise that continued investment across the regions railway is a priority for Transport for the North, Network Rail, HS2, Operators and Major Contractors.

For over a decade the TransCityRail NORTH conference, exhibition and networking dinner has been uniting the leaders of industry responsible for building shaping and delivering rail infrastructure investment across the region for a day of collaboration, conversation and engagement.

This year we have another star studied line-up of keynote speakers and panel discussions on strategic rail investment for the region, Transpennine Route Upgrade and Northern Powerhouse Rail revealing £billions in opportunity for the supply chain.

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