RIA responds to the Union Connectivity Review
Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association (RIA), commented: “We welcome Sir Peter Hendy’s Union Connectivity Review published today. It is good to see mention of upgrade schemes, such as the West Coast Main Line and North Wales Coast Line electrification, as well as improving rail links in Northern Ireland, across the Midlands, and on the East Coast of England. All would help increase rail capacity in the UK, vital to providing sustainable transport options for millions of people and also freight in the future, and boosting long-term economic growth.
“We will assess how the development of the proposed ‘UKNET’ – a strategic transport network spanning the entire UK – will work in practice for our members, but a joined-up, strategic approach to planning UK transport connectivity of course makes sense in principle.
“RIA and our members will now work with partners across the UK on these recommendations. We await the Government’s response and hope to see confirmation of funding and scheduling for the upgrades shortly.”
