Transport for the North (TfN) has developed a new ‘Guide for Rail in the North’ to help industry and stakeholders work more effectively together.
The new rail guide is just one of many output actions from the recent Blake Jones Review of the rail industry in the North which looked at what needs to be done to make rail work better following the disastrous timetable meltdown in the summer of 2018.
The guide sets out clearly who does what in rail in the North, and how organisations work together and are governed. It is currently in draft form and will be considered by Rail North Committee members on Wednesday 21 October.
David Hoggarth, Strategic Rail Director for Transport for the North said: “The need to provide reliable essential rail services for key workers during the COVID pandemic has brought the rail industry and its stakeholders closer together than ever before. For the last six months our railways in the North have been running punctually and reliably. We want to build on this going forward.
“One of the key things that has made this happen has been the close working between the rail industry and officers from each of the North’s local transport executives. Initially this was through the North of England Contingency Group which we were pleased to chair – but now the closer working is becoming much more established and the new guide will provide a useful reference tool as we continue to build on this work.”
Transport for the North recently met with Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris to discuss next steps. Rail North Committee Members have identified four key priorities for rail reform in the North which will form the focus for its rail-related work in the months and years ahead. These are: accountability to the public; de-centralisation; transparency; and the integration of rail services with wider transport networks in local areas.
TfN has also fed into the Williams Rail Review which will help determine the new shape of rail in the UK once the path through the COVID-19 pandemic becomes clearer.
Photo credit: Transport for the North
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