by Douglas Tonge, Rail Supplies Direct Publisher
November 2005

At last there is a real sense of accomplishment in revitalising Britain’s rail network, a positive forward momentum in developing a system we all need. A quick look at our rail system demonstrates the progress and investment now evident throughout the country.

Network Rail in their 2005 Business Plan (published March 2005) have detailed:

•£20.5bn spend over the remaining four years of the control period, (to March 2009). to continue the task of slashing delays and rebuilding the railway

•£5.5bn 2005/06 expenditure to ensure continued sustained investment

One result of the successful London bid for the Olympic Games will be the tremendous investment in it’s public transport system with over £17 billion invested by the time the games open in 2012. As Ian Brown, Managing Director, TfL London Rail says in his editorial, “the rail industry is potentially set to form a key component of the development of London as a world-class Olympic city.”Many light rail systems are expanding and planning significant extensions (e.g. Manchester Metro, East London Line and the Piccadilly Line to T5 Heathrow). Such systems have been very effective in persuading people to use this form of transport instead of car journeys. The Docklands Light Railway has seen passenger numbers leap from 8 million to 54 million and is preparing for an increase to 80 million.

The train operating companies have also been investing heavily, with a third of the national rolling stock fleet having now been replaced by brand new, state of the art trains such as Virgin Trains 125 mph Voyager and Super Voyager diesels and the tilting Pendolinos.

With a 40% growth in passenger demand over the past ten years, Britain has the fastest growing railway in Europe. The future is definitely looking brighter for rail, which is good news for all concerned as our overcrowded road network would be unable to cope otherwise.