IET on Autumn Statement: Engineers urge rethink of government rail electrification policy

The Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET), Europe’s biggest engineering body, has today called for a rethink of government rail electrification policy. The call comes following the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Autumn Statement.

Jeremy Acklam of the IET said: “The welcome announcement of electrification for the main trans Pennine rail route today strongly highlights the urgent requirement for a comprehensive re-statement of government rail policy. Confidence is needed that the 40% UK rail efficiency gap identified by the McNulty report is really going to be addressed. The IET calls upon the Secretary of State for Transport to publish a coherent and stable long-term electrification and rolling-stock strategy in the New Year.”

The Chancellor announced a £5bn increase in public spending on capital budget over the next three years. At least £1.4bn of this sum is for railway and transport infrastructure and commuter links.

The IET also warns that all UK infrastructure needs to be designed as part of a single ‘system-of-systems’ so that they support and enhance each other, which requires the sharing of key information and experience across sectors. This includes the UK rail infrastructure.

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Notes to editors:

Expert spokespeople are available for interview and comment.
The IET is Europe’s largest professional body of engineers with over 150,000 members in 127 countries.
For more information, visit www.theiet.org

Media enquiries to:
Belinda Webb
Communications Officer
The IET
T: +44 (0)1438 765608
M: +44 (0) 7715 857 338
E : bwebb@theiet.org