RIA welcomes Government positive words for rolling programme of electrification

Lord Faulkner of Worcester asked Transport Minister Baroness Vere about the Railway Industry Association’s (RIA) recent ‘Why Rail Electrification?’ Report in the House of Lords Chamber yesterday

In response, Vere said that “the Government welcomes this report and agrees that further electrification is required to decarbonise the railway alongside the deployment of battery and hydrogen trains on some lines.” She added that “the best way to make most effective use of the supply chain is a rolling programme [of electrification]”.

In response, David Clarke, Technical Director of the Railway Industry Association, said: “It is welcome to see the Government acknowledge that a rolling programme of consistent electrification work is best for the rail supply chain. A steady, consistent profile of work would not only allow businesses to deliver more cost-effectively, it would also support skills, innovation and investment, whilst supporting the Government’s decarbonisation goals.

“As RIA’s RailDecarb21 campaign highlights, committing to an immediate start on electrification – as well as fleet orders of hydrogen and battery rolling stock – would help ‘build back better’ and showcase the UK’s international leadership on climate change ahead of COP26 this November.”

RIA’s ‘Why Rail Electrification?’ Report can be found here.

Photo and video credit: Railway Industry Association

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