Institution responds to Government announcement to possibly reopen rail lines

Philippa Oldham, Head of Transport and Manufacturing, said in response to the Government’s announcement that railway lines closed in the 1960s under the Beeching cuts may be reopened:

“Railway demand is forecast to double over the next thirty years, so the UK needs to think of sustainable means of unlocking further capacity, to ease overcrowding and improve punctuality. Increasing capacity can not only unlock jobs and housing growth across the country, it can also boost exports which is all the more vital post-Brexit.

“Alongside electrification, new routes, light rail and other projects targeted, reinvesting in re-opening some of the railway infrastructure that was closed in the 1960s is one method of meeting this increased demand, while also stimulating local economies and reducing harmful emissions. If these lines were reopened it would support the Government’s Clean Growth Strategy in terms of shifting more freight from road to rail. However, it must be looked at in conjunction with a number of other ideas, such as longer trains, more frequent services and smarter traffic management systems that also relieve bottlenecks.

“Key to success will be the Government’s long term strategic commitment, so that the private sector can have the confidence to invest. Too much reorganisation of the structure of railway risks detracting efforts and reducing the commitment to much needed investment.”

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers published “Increasing Capacity: Putting Britain’s Railway Back On Track” earlier this year.