CPA Bulletin

The next steps in our strategy are to meet with MPs and the gatekeepers who can open up funding streams to unlock the impasse. With politics being on a knife edge and other issues taking up the time of many MPs and civil servants, we will be looking carefully at how our message is transmitted over the next weeks and months. Ironically, with the background of a reducing workforce and plant being mothballed, at the time of writing our members have just delivered one of the busiest Christmas periods that they have ever known. The logistics of managing an exacting schedule of specialist plant with an array of attachments and the necessary competent operators to work efficiently throughout the holiday period is extraordinary, particularly considering the pressure to hand the lines back on time. Williams review It was interesting to see the Williams review author give evidence to the House of Commons Select Committee at the end of October. Clearly, the whole exercise of the review and white paper is about putting passengers first by looking at trains running on time and fares being reasonable and accessible. However, we believe the way to achieve a first class railway is to ensure the track and infrastructure is in good condition and maintained to the highest standard. At the beginning of the session, the Chairman made it clear that infrastructure management and major schemes were out of the scope of the review. This was slightly contradicted by Keith Williams when he said he was particularly interested in making the infrastructure work for the passenger. We believe this may be a missed opportunity. There are differing models being proposed for a new management system encompassing the maintenance and operation of the total rail network, possibly replacing the existing rail authority, but it will leave the question of infrastructure for later discussion. Keith Williams said that over a long period the network has become much fuller. This refers to the substantial increase in passenger numbers and trains operated, which also has an impact on the infrastructure. However, we believe the focus seems to be more on the train operating companies than the rails the trains run on. The general election has now paused the Williams review although we believe this will recommence and the white paper will be produced at the earliest opportunity by the new government. The other issue, of course, is that he has carefully steered clear about whether rail should be in public or private hands. Finally, the general election had also caused the RPA to pause its campaign, but we will use the time wisely and any member that wishes to contribute to the argument is more than welcome to contact us. Hopefully, future articles will be able to explain some of the other initiatives and workloads that the RPA is currently undertaking. RAIL PLANT ASSOCIATION: 2 46 CPA Bulletin > February 2020 www.cpa.uk.net