The Rail Sector
Department for Transport ( DFT) Rail Group responsibility is to provide strategic direction and to procure rail services and projects that only it can specify. Responsibility for day-to-day delivery of railway services rests with the industry.
Their work also covers improving operational and financial performance, and safety; and developing a sustainable strategy for the railway that supports wider transport objectives. Key partners include the infrastructure provider Network Rail, the passenger train operators, the independent economic and safety regulator, the Office of Rail Regulation; and the rail freight industry. DFT also ensures the effective alignment between UK and EU rail strategies.
Transport Scotland is the agency for Scotland. www.transportscotland.gov.uk/rail
Key rail projects are listed on their site and general issues on the rail link at www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/
Welsh Assembly – Transport
The Assembly has responsibility to develop new rail passenger services and to fund rail freight improvement schemes.
Rail Associations
Railway Forum Midlands
Established 25 years ago, the Rail Forum Midlands (RFM) represents over 160 businesses across the Midlands and beyond, collectively employing over 25,000 people and contributing £2.6bn to the local economy. RFM are a not-for-profit organisation, owned and governed by the members with the sole purpose of supporting them to grow and thrive. The members include infrastructure and rolling stock consultancies, manufacturers, OEMs and a wide range of service providers to the industry. They work strategically with both UK and regional governments, the Rail Delivery and Supply Groups (RDG/RSG) and our local LEPs as well as continuing to support their members through specific events.
Railway Industry Association
The Railway Industry Association (RIA) is the voice of the UK rail supply community. We help to grow a sustainable, high-performing, railway supply industry, and to export UK rail expertise and products.
RIA has 300+ companies in membership in a sector that contributes £36 billion in economic growth and £11 billion in tax revenue each year, as well as employing 600,000 people—more than the workforce of Birmingham. It is also a vital industry for the UK’s economic recovery, supporting green investment and jobs in towns and communities across the UK.
Rail News
Trade Associations
