Last day to have your input on 30 years of rail

Today is the last day you can have your say on a 30-year Whole Industry Strategic Plan for Great British Railways (GBR).

The transition team responsible for creating GBR, the new public body that will run and plan the rail network, launched an eight-week call for evidence that finishes on 4 February 2022.

To get involved, click here.

Anit Chandarana, lead director of the Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT), has encouraged everyone with an interest in the railway to share their views and evidence.

On the launch of the call for evidence, he said: “The Strategic Plan will be the first strategy of its kind, a 30-year high-level plan shaped by a set of strategic objectives that have been developed for the benefit of our passengers, freight users, taxpayers and staff, to support Britain’s nations, regions, and communities.

“The call for evidence will help shape the future of the railway, and we want it to be informed by as many different perspectives as possible.”

Announced by the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to pave the way for the transition to the future of rail, GBRTT is asking stakeholders to provide their views on how rail can contribute to five strategic objectives set by government.

These are:

• Meeting the needs of future passengers and freight customers.
• Ensuring rail is financially sustainable, efficient and value for money.
• Catalysing long term economic growth.
• Reducing regional inequalities and bringing the union together.
• Supporting government’s environmental sustainability objectives.

Anit, who is chief of staff at Network Rail, said: “This is the opportunity for people to influence the long-term future of the railway in the UK and for us to work together to create a simpler, better railway for everyone in Britain.

“I can’t stress the importance of getting involved and coming up with solutions on how we deliver against the strategic outcomes.”

Backed by the innovation and enterprise of the private sector, the call for evidence on the Strategic Plan asks how the rail industry can play a part in boosting our economy, providing access to new jobs and opportunities and making the railways a keystone in the UK’s plans to build back better and greener.

Leader of the Great British Railways Transition Team, Andrew Haines, said: “The Whole Industry Strategic Plan will help determine the future of the railway and we want it to be informed by as many different perspectives as possible, to learn from the lessons of the past and to meet the challenges of the future.

“We hope a wide range of organisations and experts, both inside and outside the rail industry, will respond to our call for evidence, to help us all make the most out of this opportunity to create a railway that truly delivers for all that use, service and depend on it. Together, we will create a simpler, better railway for everyone in Britain.”

Experts from across the Rail and Transport industry and beyond have been invited to submit evidence to ensure this first-of-its-kind strategy will receive contributions from a wide range of stakeholders.

The call for evidence can be accessed here.

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