RSSB Supports Rail Industry Efforts to Deliver Sustainable Railways

December 3, 2007 // Published as a news service by IHS

Transport Minister Tom Harris MP used the conference to spell out his vision, which mentioned the launch of the consultation paper Towards a Sustainable Transport System: Supporting economic growth in a low carbon world by the Department for Transport (DfT).

Harris acknowledged the industry's own call to devote more attention to further electrification, seen by the industry as a key component of a sustainable railway serving the needs of the economy, society and environment.

Harris touched on the government's focus on capacity rather than further electrification at this stage.

It follows a recent joint letter sent by Network Rail and the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) to the secretary of state, calling for more prominence for electrification on the agenda.

The conference coincided with the launch of the Network Rail Strategic Business Plan 2009-2014, which included annual investment of £2 billion over five years on capacity and services.

"We need every assistance from government, not least to deliver a sound energy policy that moves us towards a reliable supply of low carbon electricity. This needs to be high on the agenda but we, the industry, need to speak with one voice and let the Government know what is possible," said Len Porter, RSSB chief executive and chairman of the Sustainable Development Steering Group.

Other points of interest from the conference included:

• A call from Stephen Joseph, executive director for the Campaign for Better Transport, to plan for the entire door-to-door journey and rail's role in a wider sustainable transport system.
• An aspiration to deliver lighter trains, with faster acceleration, lower infrastructure impact and lower energy use - epitomized by the aims and objectives of the Intercity Express program.
• A thorough consideration of future energy needs of the rail industry, including integrating the government's respective transport and energy policies.
• The practical steps the industry is already undertaking towards cleaner fuels, sustainable biodiesel, regenerative braking and future power technologies
• A sustainable community is a well-connected community. Rail must be physically accessible, sufficiently frequent and affordable to fully facilitate social inclusion.
• Consideration of transport links in the planning system is critical to developing sustainable communities, to capitalize on rail's ability to enable economic growth and greater social accessibility.

The Sustainable Rail Programme is led by executive director-level representatives from Network Rail, train operating companies, rolling stock leasing companies (ROSCOs), Railway Industry Association (RIA), Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), Department for Transport (DfT), Office for Rail Regulation (ORR) as well as Transport for London (TfL), Transport Scotland and the Railway Forum.

Source: Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB).