UK: The Railway Industry Association has published its third six-monthly assessment of progress with rail policy since Labour came to power in the 2024 general election, identifying several areas where it is says development has been slow.
RIA set out its five main ‘asks’ of government ahead of the election, and on January 9 set out its assement of progress against these.
- Publish a long-term strategy: RIA and its members welcome the inclusion in the Railways Bill of a legal requirement for the Department for Transport to produce a Long-Term Rail Strategy. However, RIA says there needs to be a firmed-up date for publication and a roadmap for the development process.
- Deliver on industry reform: RIA is ‘encouraged’ that the Railways Bill is now progressing through parliament and look forward to GBR being formed in 2027. It said the next important step will be a consultation on the GBR licence, and RIA would like to see this in H1 2026.
- Accelerate new train orders and low carbon network upgrades: RIA and its members welcome the DfT’s commitment to publish a long-term rolling stock and infrastructure strategy in the summer, and appreciates the engagement DfT has had with the supply sector in the formulation process. It says that to maintain momentum, it is important the rolling stock and infrastructure strategy is published soon, and certainly no later than when parliament goes into recess on July 16 2026.
- Support a sustainable supply chain: A RIA-commissioned survey of more than 100 rail business leaders found that 85% think it likely there will be a hiatus in rail work over the next year, and more than 60% expect the rail market to contract and are freezing recruitment or laying off staff. RIA says that it is now urgent that the government takes action to improve clarity over future pipelines of work for suppliers, to give them the certainty they need to retain staff and invest in the short to medium term.
- Leverage private investment: RIA says the railway needs to leverage private and third-party investment to supplement central government funding, and calls on the government to publish a clear policy on rail and private investment. This could include piloting Station Investment Zones.
Chief Executive Darren Caplan said RIA ’acknowledges that there has certainly been progress by the government, in taking forward rail reform and supporting major rail projects. However, by the time we make our two-year assessment in July 2026 there is still much to do. Rail suppliers remain concerned at the outlook for rail investment in 2026, whether infrastructure or rolling stock related. And whilst progress on rail reform is, of course, welcome many key rail improvements cannot wait until Great British Railways is stood up in 2027.’
He said ‘with surveys showing confidence in the rail market remaining fragile, action this year is crucial, not just to safeguard the future of the rail supply sector, but also to ensure customers and taxpayers get the best value for money as rail plays its part in delivering on the government’s stated priority of accelerating economic growth’.
RIA plans to produce a full annual assessment for the government’s second anniversary in July.
