Caroline Wilson

Is a unified approach the key to solving the UK's rail industry challenges? James Holmes, Rail Sector Director for Amey, shares how Transport for Wales and Scotland’s Railway have demonstrated the transformational potential of a vertically integrated approach. Aligning operations and infrastructure for improved efficiency. Read the whole feature by James Holmes here: 🔗https://ow.ly/HUYE50UAs5S #RailIndustry #Transportation #Infrastructure #RailReform #TLImagazine

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Today, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh MP unveiled her vision for an Integrated National Transport Strategy (INTS). This plan aims to make travel across England more seamless, sustainable, and customer-focused. From enhancing connectivity between modes of transport to addressing environmental challenges, the vision represents a push towards a more joined-up approach to how we move people around the country. The call for ideas launched alongside the speech invites contributions from across the sector to help shape this strategy. It’s an opportunity for industry, local leaders, and the public to play a role in defining the future of transport in England. However, the press announcement makes no mention of how this strategy will align with the rest of GB and the devolved administrations of Scotland and Wales. Given the interdependencies of these transport networks, clarity on collaboration will be essential to ensure a truly unified system that delivers benefits beyond regional boundaries. It is also a shame that freight does not appear within the vision. As part of a wider-systems approach to transport, freight integration is crucial to achieving sustainable logistics, reducing road congestion, and supporting economic growth. Addressing this gap will be key to ensuring the strategy meets the needs of all transport users, including businesses and communities alike. This announcement is a start, but its success will depend on clear goals, strong partnerships, and robust delivery mechanisms. The transport community should seize the chance to contribute to the call for ideas, ensuring that this strategy reflects the needs of all users. What are your thoughts on today’s announcement? How can we ensure the INTS delivers tangible benefits across England and beyond? Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom, #IntegratedTransport #Sustainability #Policy https://lnkd.in/euVe_ixT.

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In our latest article in Rail Express we acknowledge and address some of the workforce challenges in the rail industry by providing industry best-practice solutions for training requirements. #trainingsolutions #workforcetraining #trainingsystems #trainingdesign

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The introduction of Great British Railways brings some complex changes. In an article for Rail Professional, our Partner specialising in public procurement, Bradley Martin, highlights the complexities of of this integration. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3XXvSJV #Procurement #Government #Railway #PublicSector

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Discussions at TfN's Rail North Committee (20/11/2024) highlighted the challenges still facing rail services in the North of England. While Northern Trains' representatives provided an honest assessment of the systemic and operational issues they are tackling, the frustration among committee members was palpable. For customers, the reality remains stark: unreliable services, disrupted journeys, and an erosion of confidence in rail as a mode of transport. The challenges are systemic, affecting all TOCs across the country. From historic under investment and outdated infrastructure to fractured accountability and persistent industrial relations disputes, the rail industry has been struggling to meet the needs of passengers and freight customers alike. The government’s solution, Great British Railways (GBR), aims to address these problems by putting the customer at the heart of decision-making, simplifying ticketing, and providing a more coherent and efficient rail service. However, this ambition is tempered by the reality that implementing GBR could be many years away, given the complexity of merging such a fragmented industry. Will GBR really resolve the deep-rooted issues plaguing the industry? And, perhaps more critically, will it do so in time to restore passenger trust and deliver meaningful improvements for customers, including rail freight users? A key concern for me is whether the long-standing industrial relations issues can be resolved to everyone's satisfaction. While unifying management structures may improve some aspects of planning and accountability, it does not automatically resolve disputes over pay, conditions, or working practices. For GBR to succeed, it will need to engage all stakeholders, including unions, in a collaborative effort to design a sustainable future for the railway. The rail industry must move beyond short-term fixes. As the Rail North Committee discussions revealed, operators are grappling with legacy systems and practices that no longer serve the modern needs of passengers. Addressing these issues requires a whole-system approach, involving not just GBR but all parts of the industry working together at pace. This includes embracing digitalisation, investing in infrastructure, and ensuring that freight has a stronger voice in the conversation. Customers don’t need blame; they need solutions. They need the assurance that rail will become a reliable and affordable choice. They need the industry to work collectively and transparently towards a vision of rail that supports economic growth, environmental targets, and social connectivity. GBR presents an opportunity, but only if the industry seizes this moment to reset its approach, break down silos, and act decisively. While the way ahead may be challenging, the goal must remain clear: delivering a rail system that works for everyone. How can we ensure that GBR delivers meaningful change and addresses the concerns that have frustrated passengers for so long?

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Today's rail headlines - #InTheNews: Strategic Rail Freight Interchange update, Virgin Trains applies for licence to run rail services on West Coast, contract extension for maintenance of Edinburgh Trams infrastructure, and Women in Rail Awards. Listen here: #UKrail #railways #headlines

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https://lnkd.in/e7xN8SgP Laudable, but we need north-south rail capacity and east-west rail more too. That means rebuilding/new builds to inform more orbital links for West Midlands and East Midlands and connections thereof. E.g. #Oxford-#Leicester could be direct if the missing piece of railway between #Northampton and Market Harborough (MH) is rebuilt and an east-north direct running curve put in for #Birmingham-#Rugby/DIRFT-Leicester (more options/capacity) and vice versa. Likewise a study to look at a new rail link between the Rugby area with the Leicester/Leicester-Nuneaton lines could serve developments like Magna Park, never existed in Great Central days and also bring the #Lutterworth area back onto the rail network. Otherwise we have some freight by rail, but lion's share on the roads and with more development, congestion and gridlock alongside loss of land for other uses beit housing, leisure, conservation and food-farming, is lost and we're poorer too. Who will blink first, have power to call in such sprawls and ensure the rail network can deliver 90% freight by rail unfolding, not a mere 10% if lucky! #Knighton-#Burton rail link could serve for diversionary north-south feright to create more capacity through Leicester. #networkrail #dft #rail #railways #transport #environment #links #newlines #people #modalshift #modalchoice

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The King’s Speech today underlines the importance of the rail sector to our new government’s plans. No less than three seperate pieces of legislation to deliver the reform the industry so badly needs and also to address the bottleneck that exists between Crewe and Manchester on the network. As an industry and supply chain we should get behind these changes to make the railway best placed to deliver the needs of passengers and freight customers.

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Today's rail headlines - #InTheNews: Aslef strikes, brand new trains on the Ebbw Vale line, Siemens submits plans for a new £100m facility, and GB Railfreight new intermodal service. Listen here: #UKrail #railways #headlines

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Welsh transport projects in 2025 and the funding challenges faced! 🧐 Without a needs based new funding model the Welsh Government faces a tough funding outlook on transport infrastructure investment > https://ow.ly/JJ1n50UyJj9 #Transport #Rail #Infrastructure

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Our new report for Rail Delivery Group on the Value of Rail is published today! The key finding is that value of the railways to the economy, the environment and society more broadly currently stands at £26bn in benefits delivered each year. The more granular insights include: 💷 The total benefits to passengers are worth £14bn each year. 🚗 The total value of decreased congestion is worth £8bn to people and businesses each year. 🌳£4bn additional benefits from environmental and social benefits and wider economic impacts. A 40% growth in passengers by 2035 could see: ⬆️ The total value of the railways reach £46bn in annual benefits. ⬇️ A 1.8Mt decrease in greenhouse gas emissions per year. ➕ 320m additional hours of road congestion relieved each year, on top of the existing 720m. ➖ 1,100 casualties avoided in addition to the 2,700 already avoided annually due to current rail use. There are a host of wider economic and societal benefits - read the full report to find out more about them. https://lnkd.in/ezQ4x9xY #beyondthetracks #valueofrail

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The British Regional Transport Association (BRTA), a voluntary association seeking more, better and affordable public transport. Local rail solutions and local reopenings and select pieces of new-build as well are main focuses. We have a nationwide vision and aspiration. We are always seeking champions, promoters, voluntary speakers at meetings and network accordingly for progressing things. We support the following for the West Midlands: 1. Orbital rail links with parkway stations for London, Birmningham and Manchester to enable more and better without clustering on core radial main lines. 2. Stratford upon Avon - Long Marston for second Oxford-Birmingham route and also a south to west curve onto the Cotswold Line to bring Evesham and link arcingly to Worcester from eastern Birmingham in wrap around terms. Useful for freight by rail and growth and commuting patterning. 3. Rugby-Leicester needs a new-build rail link serving Lutterworth (growth area) and Magna Park, one of the biggest industrial parks in Europe without a rail access. Potential is there, if not re-railed focuses into and out of Birmingham which congests roads and rails more. Capacity is needed, on the back of restoring some missing gaps in the network. 4. A study for Bridgnorth to Shrewsbury 'new-build' for western flank of Birmingham orbital rail using Severn Valley Railway. Surely an arrangement for paths could be done if a through route were feasibly to be recovered? 5. Rebuild a new Stratford upon Avon-Cheltenham rail link. Lickey Incline south of Birmingham is inadequjate for long, heavy freight rains, but apart from more roads (bad), it is all there is currently. Stratford upon Avon-Cheltenham would give more capacity, gentler gradients and enable more by rail spread and scope. It needs studying, solutions ot problems resolved and cross-border working. Too many places are taking insular and parochial outlooks, when we need more than ever a nationwide and regional vision starting at the grassroots upwards and outwards.

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🚄 As an RISQS-accredited supplier, we aim to serve the Great British rail industry with commitment and excellence. Our recent RISQS accreditation helps us to continue making a difference by preventing work-related illnesses, managing health issues and promoting worker wellbeing in compliance with rail industry standards.   Why choose TAC Healthcare? Our Occupational Health services are a strategic investment in the safety, wellbeing, and efficiency of the rail industry's workforce.   ✅ Mitigate exposure to noise, vibration and hazardous materials.   ✅ Ensure medical fitness for roles directly impacting operational safety, reducing accident risks.   ✅ Address high-stress factors through support programs, improving resilience and reducing absenteeism.   ✅ Support in meeting strict health and safety standards within rail industry, minimising legal liabilities.   ✅ Boost employee satisfaction and engagement, crucial for operational success and competitiveness.   ✅ Tailored support for older employees, managing chronic health risks and ensuring a healthier workplace.   https://lnkd.in/eJkEHwAt   #TACHealthcare #RISQS #OccupationalHealth #WorkerWellbeing

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Coyle Rail is helping to ensure the future success and sustainability of the UK rail network 🚉📈 The rail industry in the UK is currently facing a significant skills shortage. Recognising these challenges, Coyle Rail has positioned itself as a leader in providing apprenticeship opportunities that are crucial for addressing this skills gap. 👨‍🎓📚 We are proud to highlight the success of our 11 active apprentices participating in the Level 3 Railway Engineering Technician Apprenticeship programme in collaboration with Network Rail. We are also proud to have funded a total of 2,278 upskilling training courses throughout the year. The total investment in this training programme was £453,976. 🚧🚂 Learn more about our efforts to address the rail sector's skill shortage by reading our Rail Training and Workforce Development article on the Coyle Journal: https://lnkd.in/e4Evijzd #CoyleRail #UKRail #RailTraining #WorkforceDevelopment #RailApprenticeship #SkillsShortage

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The Global Centre Of Rail Excellence is delighted to be referenced in a major new RSSB document: 'Guidance to railway testing and validation in Great Britain' published recently. The guidance provides a high-level overview of rail testing, offering information on roles and responsibilities in the industry, why testing is important and how and where testing can be carried out. It also points to key resources that those involved in testing should be aware of. As a site for world class rail research, testing and certification of rolling stock, infrastructure and cutting edge new technologies, the Global Centre Of Rail Excellence will be a facility unique in Europe in terms of the wide range of services it will provide. GCRE will significantly enhance the rail industry's testing and validation capabilities and support manufacturers, governments, regulators and infrastructure managers across Europe, the Middle East and beyond. You can find the guidance here: https://lnkd.in/eJNnFNDT #GCRE #GlobalCentreOfRailExcellence #RailInnovation

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As the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill advances, it’s crucial for the Government to engage with industry.   The only way to ensure a smooth transition to Great British Rail is to thrash out the specifics with all parties involved. Through meaningful dialogue around the practicalities of handover both passengers and workers can be protected.   With thanks to PoliticsHome, you can read my latest opinion editorial in The House Magazine. I explain why – 200 years after the British Government and the rail industry united to launch the world’s first passenger railway – collaboration is key for a smooth transition to Great British Rail. https://lnkd.in/ewitp4zz

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🚆 Transforming UK Railways! 🚆 The Secretary of State for Transport has outlined a bold vision for balancing open access with public ownership. 📜✨ Key Highlights: - Open access innovation vs. taxpayer impact. - Future Focus: Moving towards a financially sustainable, passenger-first railway. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eGBbJdN5 Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom Office of Rail and Road (ORR)#RailwayReform #OpenAccess #PublicOwnership #UKTransport 

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Opportunity alert! Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom's Transport Research and Innovation Grant (TRIG) fund is now open, delivered by Connected Places Catapult, with organisations and academics able to win up to £45,000 in funding. TRIG supports businesses and academics working on #innovative ideas in the early stages of their research. It aims to improve #transport across the country and support skilled UK jobs. This year’s competition is seeking proposals focused on: - Nation Specific Transport Solutions – for projects that address transport challenges in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. - Local Transport Decarbonisation and Maritime Decarbonisation - Critical & Emerging Technologies - Open Call https://lnkd.in/eqFb7b5U Kelvin Davies, Dan Piner, Catherine Appleby, Milda Manomaityte, Railway Industry Association, Shona Clive, Alan Peters, Kristoff van Leeuwen, Women in Transport, Women in Rail, Ian Evley, Eli Rees-King, Rail Forum, 💡Robert Cairns, William Reddaway, Matt Mullen, Global Centre Of Rail Excellence

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