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Rail industry launches first sustainability review

Rail makes a critical contribution to Great Britain’s prosperity and quality of life and is crucial in delivering sustainable transport for the future. The most significant contribution that the railway can make to a sustainable future is to increase the number of passengers that travel through the rail network that would otherwise use more polluting modes, and so reduce the overall carbon impact from all transport.

That’s the key message from The Case For Rail 2007 - the first sustainable development review of the mainline railways of Great Britain, launched today by a cross-industry group of rail stakeholders. The review summarises current sustainability performance and reflects the growing momentum behind the industry’s response to future challenges and opportunities.

Key highlights from the review include:

• The start of a process to build a 30-year rail sustainable development strategy. This is the first of 13 principal commitments made by the rail industry in this document.
• The carbon dioxide emission of a typical passenger rail journey is about half that of an equivalent car journey and about one-quarter of an equivalent journey by air. The rail industry has committed to work with the Department for Transport (DfT) to define a voluntary industry-led agreement to reduce carbon emissions.
• Regenerative braking on the a.c. overhead electrified network is reducing the energy use of electric passenger trains by 15-20%.
• Train punctuality was 86.4% in 2006 (April 2005 – March 2006) - the highest level for six years.
• The Department for Transport (DfT) has allocated £370 million to upgrade physical accessibility at stations.
• The average age of Britain’s rolling stock is 13 years, making it one of the youngest fleets in Europe.

The rail industry is openly discussing its contribution to sustainable development to ensure there are clear plans in place for the future across environmental, social and economic issues.

Demand for transport continues to grow against a backdrop of increasing environmental awareness and concern about climate change. The challenge for the rail industry is to respond to growing demand and, in doing so, meet increasing customer expectations on levels of service and quality whilst simultaneously strengthening its sustainability credentials.

The case for rail 2007 forms part of the Sustainable Rail Programme, a future-looking cross-industry initiative led by executive director-level representatives from Network Rail, train operating companies, ROSCOs, RIA, ATOC, DfT, ORR as well as TfL, Transport Scotland and the Railway Forum. The programme, which has become a driving force for future activity, is facilitated by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB).

• Douglas Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Transport
• David Begg, Director of the Portobello Partnership and publisher of Transport Times
• Jonathon Porritt, Founder Director of Forum for the Future and Chairman of the UK Sustainable Development Commission, and
• Stephen Joseph, Executive Director of Transport 2000, who prepared the assurance statement.

The rail industry itself has embraced its first sustainability appraisal.

Len Porter, Chairman of the Sustainable Development Steering Group, and Chief Executive of RSSB said:
"Together the industry has risen to the challenge, and it should be proud of both the Sustainable Rail Programme and this document. The railway has a key role to play in contributing to a sustainable and integrated national transport system, and makes a unique contribution to Great Britain’s prosperity and quality of life."

Iain Coucher, Deputy Chief Executive of Network Rail, said:
"This review demonstrates how critical co-operation is to the delivery of sustainability improvements. Capital investment or other changes in one part of the industry often deliver benefits in a different part of the industry or society."

David Franks, Chief Executive of National Express (Trains Division) who represents the passenger train operating companies on the Sustainable Development Steering Group said:
"Britain has the fastest-growing railway in Europe, with passenger and freight services both increasing their market share. This trend shows how train operators are delivering a better end-product to customers, which is crucial to encouraging a shift from less sustainable modes of transport to rail."

Clive Burrows at the Department for Transport said:
"The rail industry has undeniably good sustainability credentials, but this document maps out those areas where rail should further improve its performance, in particular through the cost-effective provision of more capacity and by the reduction of carbon emissions."

The Case For Rail 2007 can be downloaded from the RSSB website at http://www.rssb.co.uk/pdf/reports/the_case_for_rail_2007.pdf Enhanced copies of the charts can also be downloaded from the RSSB website at: http://www.rssb.co.uk/national_programmes/sustainable_rail/the_case_for_rail_2007_charts.ppt

Hard copies are also available from RSSB, email sustainablerailprogramme@rssb.co.uk or telephone 020 7904 7518.

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For further information, please contact the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) press office, on 020 7904 7524 / 7525 / 7593 or visit the website on www.rssb.co.uk

Notes to editors:

1. The Sustainable Rail Programme is led by the cross-industry Sustainable Development Steering Group (SDSG) comprising industry and Government executives, supported by the Rail Sustainable Development Group (RSDG). Its members include executive director-level representation from Network Rail, train operating companies, rolling stock leasing companies (ROSCOs), the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), the Railway Industry Association (RIA), the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), the Department for Transport (DfT), the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) as well as Transport for London (TfL), Transport Scotland and the Railway Forum.

2. Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) builds industry-wide consensus and facilitates the resolution of difficult cross-industry issues. We provide knowledge, analysis, a substantial level of technical expertise, powerful information and risk management tools. This delivers a unique mix to the industry across a whole range of subject areas.