CPA Bulletin

54 CPA Bulletin > February 2018 www.cpa.uk.net The RPA is also committed to work with industry to find a long term solution to this problem and offer our support in any future initiatives on this topic. The RPA would also support a deep dive into the underlying causes of these events to establish common causes and associated preventative actions. RETURN TO TENDER Excuse the pun to an Elvis Presley song but you will recall from previous articles that I wrote about the opportunity of new contracts being awarded in 2018 for the hire of plant to Network Rail. During the invitation phase our members put a lot of time and effort into the completion of tender documents, only to be disappointed to hear of Network Rail’s decision not to progress with the award of contracts until changes have been made to better reflect their requirements, which includes the necessity to provide greater clarity on delivery point management and liability for stabled plant, areas of concern which have long been at the centre of the Association’s interests. With this in mind the RPA has contacted Network Rail and agreed to work with them to create a set of rules and appropriate guidance for the delivery and collection of plant to railway worksites, which reflect the legal framework for such activities. The aim is to then embed these rules into the Infrastructure Plant Manual (NR/L2/RMVP/0200), which is an initiative that I’m sure will be warmly welcomed by everyone involved in the delivery and collection point management process. RPA AGM As we approach February it also coincides with the completion of my tenure as chairman of the Rail Plant Association, a two year stint which ends at our annual general meeting which is being held on the 28 February 2018. Over the last two years in which I have served as the Association’s chairman, I have been blessed with working with a team of dedicated and professional colleagues that form the RPA management committee. I am indebted to them all for producing some marvellous pieces of work such as the Rail Plant Maintenance and Repair Assessment material, the suite of Good Practice Guides and of course for supporting all of our member’s interests at the various industry forums in which they attend on our behalf. With RPA membership increasing over the past two years and industry recognition for the good work that we have done so far, I sincerely believe that we are in a great position to support the industry further with some exciting initiatives already in the pipeline for the year ahead. When I started my term as chairman two years ago I wrote about my vision for the Association, one which is open to the industry to consult and work with, one which produces deliverables for our members and industry partners and one which grows and evolves alongside and along with the railway community, helping to provide solutions to common concerns and support for our client’s initiatives. I believe that we are firmly on this journey which ensures a sustainable, albeit testing future for us all. If you would like to know more about any of the projects that we are working on, or would like to put forward any suggestions on future initiatives then please contact us at rpa @ cpa.uk.net . We would love to hear from you. Additionally, if any RPA member would like to get involved in any of the initiatives that we are working on or would like to attend a management committee meeting then please get in touch with us using the same address. You can also visit us at www.cpa.uk.net/rpa to find out more about the Rail Plant Association and to download for free the Good Practice Guides. Now I think it’s time for a rest! Rail Plant Association: 2