The UK created the railways two centuries ago. Over that time, the UK rail industry has been at the forefront of innovation, delivering new technologies which have improved both connectivity and mobility for both passengers and freight for the benefit of the economy and society both nationally and regionally.
A positive outlook lies ahead for the global rail market with European rail supplier body UNIFE forecasting growth of 3% a year until the end of the decade fuelled by the prospect of 10,000 future rail project orders including greenfield investments, replacements and modernisation projects.
What’s more, key global macroeconomic trends such as urbanisation, digitalisation and sustainability are driving demand for transport which, in turn, enhances the competitiveness of rail not least because of its low carbon credentials.
UK suppliers are well placed to capitalise on this upward trajectory given the growth in the export of rail-related goods and services across the world in recent years particularly in regions such as the Middle East and Australia. That reflects positively on the strength and depth of the UK’s domestic market as well as the future potential for leveraging this internationally.
This Rail Technical Strategy provides a strong foundation for achieving these objectives. For the UK rail supply community, the Strategy provides a clear steer for our future direction. Alongside the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network, Network Rail’s R&D Portfolio, the work of HS2 and TfL and organisations like RDG and RSSB, the Rail Technical Strategy can help support suppliers in delivering innovative new products and services and producing more value from the UK’s £40 billion plus railway industry. I would urge all, whatever the size or discipline of your organisation, to engage with this important work.
Significant challenges, of course, lie ahead for the industry but UK rail is well-placed and ready to meet them. What’s more, the opportunities from the Strategy are also considerable – a rail sector that is able to meet these challenges through innovation will not only provide greater benefits to rail users, it will be able to use these new technologies to export more around the globe, generate more investment and jobs, and attract even more talented individuals to join the sector.
And the UK will maintain its longstanding tradition of a cutting-edge, world-leading rail industry, building on our historic railway heritage.
October 2024
