Publication of key report vital step in creation of 30-year rail strategy
- Long-term strategy for rail reaches important milestone with publication of key report
- Organisations and rail users across the nation have shared their insights and evidence to support creation of strategy
- Two thirds of respondents highlighted a need for rail industry to better understand customer expectations
The views of hundreds of organisations and individuals on the future priorities for Britain’s railways have been summarised and published today, marking an important step towards the creation of a 30-year strategy that will set the strategic context and key priorities for the rail industry.
The strategy, known as the Whole Industry Strategic Plan, was commissioned by the Transport Secretary as part of the landmark Plan for Rail in May 2021. The strategy will draw on the expertise and insights of the rail sector and beyond, and the call for evidence report that has been published today is a key part of that collaborative process.
The call for evidence report from Great British Railways Transition Team summarises the insights and evidence of the 307 responses to the call for evidence. Decarbonisation, accessibility, the need for a strong customer service ethos and financial sustainability, along with the importance of integrating with other transport, were among the areas of focus identified by respondents. Analysis of their responses finds that:
- Almost three quarters (72 per cent) of those commenting on customer needs highlighted a need for customer expectations, both passenger and freight, to be better understood
- Seventy-one per cent commenting on environmental sustainability suggested the railway could play a greater role in decarbonising the entire transport network
- Over two thirds (69 per cent) of those commenting on the railway’s role in levelling up and connectivity shared their views on the role rail can play in facilitating better access to employment, education, and social opportunities
The evidence respondents provided is being used to help develop the strategy, informing decisions on how the railway can improve and contribute to the country during the next three decades. Ultimately, the strategy will be used by Ministers to ensure the railway responds to public priorities.
Leader of the Great British Railways Transition Team, Andrew Haines, said:
“It has been a valuable experience to engage with key stakeholders and rail industry partners as part of this call for evidence process. We met with hundreds of organisations, asking questions and unpicking how we can all create a simpler and better railway for everyone.
“Mapping our stakeholders’ views and collecting evidence from them is a central part of creating a meaningful 30-year rail strategy. This has been an ambitious process but made possible thanks to the willingness of those who contributed, I would like to thank everyone for their support.”
Work on the strategy is well underway, and we are continuing to engage with a wide range of stakeholders as it develops. The first version of the strategy will be ready towards the end of the year.
You can read the call for evidence response report and a summary of it here.
Notes to editors
Notes to editors
- The questions in the call for evidence were based around the Government’s five strategic objectives for the rail industry to deliver:
- Meeting customers’ needs
- Delivering financial sustainability
- Contributing to long-term economic growth
- Levelling up and connectivity
- Delivering environmental sustainability
- The responses we received are fundamental to the development of the strategy and in rail’s role in contributing to the country over the next three decades.
- Some clear themes emerged from the responses, such as the importance of decarbonisation, accessibility, and customer service; rail’s contribution to levelling up and integration with other forms of transport; the need for much greater efficiency; and a recognition that rail isn’t always the answer.
- The call for evidence ran for eight weeks between 9 December 2021 and 4 February 2022. It was supported by a programme of stakeholder engagement which saw the team meet with over 420 stakeholder organisations at 30 forums, two supply chain events and a roundtable event chaired by the then Rail Minister.
- The 307 responses we received for the call for evidence came from a wide range of individuals and organisations, including train and freight operating companies, the rail supply chain, passenger groups and customer bodies, business groups, small and medium-sized enterprises, local authorities, mayoral combined authorities, sub-national transport bodies, think tanks and sustainable travel organisations.