Rail industry leaders have been paying tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away at Balmoral, surrounded by her family, on Thursday 8 September 2022.
Network Rail chairman Sir Peter Hendy CBE said: “It is with great sorrow that we have learned of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We send our deepest sympathies to the Royal Family.”
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The nation and the world mourns today in recognition of the extraordinary service of our Queen – Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She served for 70 years with unrivalled grace, dignity and purpose.
“Throughout a period of unprecedented transformation, she was a source of great stability, inspiring hope during the most testing of times and exemplifying the best of what it means to be British.
“I’m proud to have served as Mayor of London while Queen Elizabeth II was our monarch. I know Londoners, and people across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, are immensely proud and grateful for what she achieved for us all over so many years.
“I offer my condolences to the Royal Family at this difficult time.”
London Transport Commissioner Andy Byford joined the Mayor in sending his deepest sympathy to His Majesty The King and all members of the Royal Family on behalf of his team at Transport for London.
Andy Bagnall, chief executive of Rail Partners, spoke for the Nation’s train operators: “We are saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. We offer our deepest condolences to the whole Royal Family.
“I’m sure all of our members and the wider rail industry will pull together over the coming days, to play their part in delivering faultless public transport support to the funeral arrangements, ensuring that the millions of people who will want to travel to pay their respects to the Queen will be able to do so.”
Ian Prosser CBE, HM Chief Inspector of Railways at the Office of Rail and Road, said: “ORR is deeply saddened by the news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with her family.
“Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate was duty-bound to keep Britain’s railways safe during The Queen’s 70-year reign. And it will continue to work to the same high standards under His Majesty, King Charles III.”
Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, added: “Her Majesty has served our country with dedication and loyalty and she will be missed by her grateful subjects, including all of us at Greater Anglia.
“We were fortunate and privileged to welcome her on our network on many occasions when we always tried our best to ensure her journeys with us were smooth and reliable.
“Over the coming days and weeks, we will work tirelessly to assist with any transport arrangements necessary to assist the nation to pay its final respects to Her Majesty.”
The trades unions ASLEF, RMT and TSSA were quick to cancel upcoming strike action as a mark of respect.
“Upon the news that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has died, TSSA union expresses deepest condolences to her family, friends, the country and those affected by her passing,” said general secretary Manuel Cortes. “TSSA is cancelling planned industrial action for September and will be respecting the period of public mourning.
“The union pays respect to Britain’s longest serving monarch.”
Photo credit: Network Rail
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