The position for GB rail post-Brexit is not yet clear. Paul Plummer is right in saying that it may create as many opportunities as it does challenges. RSSB will continue to assist the industry in achieving its objectives as we negotiate our exit from the EU, just as we would have done if the UK had voted to remain. There would have been challenges in both scenarios.
There is no reason to assume that the long-term development of Britain’s railways has to make a dramatic change of course as a result of Brexit, and likewise frameworks for safety and standards may not need to change much. But we do have to recognise that following the change in the way Network Rail’s debt is accounted for, we have to compete for funds along with health, education, welfare and other government departments. Any downgrading of our economy could affect rail investment.
While negotiations in the months ahead will be tough, GB rail has a strong reputation in Europe and good working relationships established over many years. As the safest major rail network in Europe, something we have achieved by creating the right
structures and approach to focus on learning and continuous improvement, we can expect that other European countries will want to continue learning from us. They regularly seek the counsel of our experts in risk, engineering, standards and human factors.
Our systematic collection of data and detailed analysis to not just understand what has happened but also what may happen underpins the safety improvements we have seen over the past 15 years. In addition, our system-wide view of trends and information means the industry has the foundations to drive improvements efficiently and effectively. Our success in this area attracts interest from our colleagues across Europe. Sharing learning, understanding and best practice will continue to be in everyone’s best interest.
RSSB currently occupies several important roles on European committees – not just on safety, but also on developing standards and ensuring supply chain efficiency. Many of these committees sit outside the EU’s constitutional framework, and include non-EU members such as Norway. While we do not know what will happen when the Government triggers Article 50 to start the process of leaving the EU, what is clear is that we will need to find a way of continuing to influence and inform our European counterparts.
Working out how future GB rail standards will integrate with European standards is essential to supporting suppliers and to the success of GB rail in importing and exporting technology and components across Europe. Standards are also an important contributor to reducing industry costs.
Just as we are exiting the EU, Network Rail’s route devolution will probably generate more local variations to meet specific needs. Local issues may well require local solutions and RSSB is here to assist in developing deviations as appropriate, carrying out risk assessments to secure these. This also applies to the way we look at system risk. Industry’s emerging data and risk strategy builds on the success of capturing and analysing data at a national level by helping our members focus on risk profiles at a local level - this will be a major boost in a devolved railway.
More than ever, there will be a stronger case for the Government to continue funding cross-industry research and development to inform short- and long-term solutions.
