Rail Social Value Tool Wins at the Spotlight Rail Awards
The RSVT was jointly developed by RSSB, Loop, Network Rail and the Department for Transport, combining expertise in data, policy, research and industry insight to create a consistent, whole industry approach to assessing social value across rail projects, programmes and operations.
Crucially, the award nomination was strengthened by supporting evidence from a wide range of organisations across the sector, reflecting both the tool’s credibility and the collective commitment behind its success. Supporting organisations included:
- Govia Thameslink Railway
- Avanti West Coast
- Network Rail
- Transport for Wales
- Siemens Mobility
Their contributions demonstrated how the tool is already being applied, tested and embedded across the industry to shape investment decisions, improve outcomes for communities, and evidence the broader benefits of rail.
Jo Lewington, Network Rail, Chief Environment & Sustainability Officer, said:
“This award is a fantastic recognition of the industry’s collaborative effort in creating a tool that brings much needed consistency to how we quantify and articulate rail’s positive social impact. We are pleased to see this integrated approach recognised, and we remain committed to driving forward the industry’s ambition on social value.”
Sian Lloyd, Head of Sustainability at Siemens Mobility UK&I, said:
“We are proud to have contributed to the development of the Rail Social Value Tool and to see it recognised with this award. At Siemens Mobility, delivering lasting value for communities is at the heart of everything we do. This tool gives us a clear, evidence-based framework to measure and strengthen the positive impact our projects are having across Britain.
“Its rail-specific focus and growing adoption make it a vital step towards a more consistent and credible approach to measuring social value across our industry.”
The RSVT helps rail organisations make informed choices, quantify their impact, and build a stronger understanding of how rail supports community wellbeing, economic opportunity and environmental improvements. As social value becomes an increasingly important consideration in public investment and rail strategy, the tool is playing a vital role in ensuring the sector can meaningfully demonstrate its positive contribution.
Tom Hall, RSSB’s Social Sustainability Principal, added:
“Winning this award is a powerful recognition of what can be achieved when the rail industry comes together with a shared purpose. It shows what's possible when we align our expertise and ambition.
“As the industry moves towards the transition to Great British Railways, there is a significant opportunity to place social value at the heart of how rail is planned, invested in and delivered.
“The RSVT provides exactly the kind of consistent, whole industry approach needed to embed social value into future frameworks, ensuring that decisions made under GBR can maximise benefits for passengers, communities and the wider economy.
“This award underlines the importance of that work, and the collective effort driving it forward.”
There are currently 40 users of the RSVT from all aspects of rail including government, operators, infrastructure organisations, suppliers and community organisations. There are many more contributors within the supply chain too – for example, Network Rail has 350 users from more than 40 companies regularly inputting data.