Despite dire predictions, travellers are returning in droves. Hunt should not overlook this vital sector in his Spring Budget.
It is vital the Government remembers this while finalising the Comprehensive Spending Review.
The Tradeshow Access Programme has been invaluable for the rail sector, and costs very little.
The Railway Industry Association, the trade body for more than 300 rail suppliers, calls for the Government to fast-track important schemes.
A lack of information about upcoming work, reduces rail businesses’ investment, jobs, and skills development, and threatens the ability of smaller rail firms to survive.
In total, the industry employs more people than the entire city of Birmingham, and can play a crucial role in the country’s economic future.
Since my last article, there has been real progress to improve rail funding overall. Next we should consider how to reduce uncertainty within the supply chain.
The current funding mechanism causes harmful cycles of feast and famine.