Following the publication of the Shapps-Williams Plan for Rail in May 2021, it recommended the development of a sector-wide, long-term strategy. The Whole Industry Strategic Plan for Rail aims to take a three decade forward view on the future of the railways in the UK.  

Currently led by the Great British Railways Transition Team, the plan will set five long-term objectives for the railways focusing on: meeting customers’ needs, delivering financial sustainability, contributing to long-term economic growth, levelling up and connectivity, and delivering environmental sustainability.

Andrew Haines, transition team lead at the Great British Railways Transition Team, said: “We are facing one of the biggest challenges the transport sector has ever seen but have a unique opportunity to reshape the way that the railway delivers for the people of Britain and our broader social and economic prosperity.”

ACE has inputted into a range of areas in the consultation, with members sharing their own ideas, proposals and experiences of working with predecessor, Network Rail.

Guto Davies, Head of Policy at ACE said: "We welcome the opportunity to bring our members together to provide insight on how the whole industry sector plan could provide long-term certainty for businesses in rail. This will be vital in the coming years, if our sector is to deliver on key commitments around levelling up and Net Zero. ACE, and our members, look forward to working with Great British Railways on the next steps”.

ACE’s full consultation response can be viewed and downloaded below. Please email ACE's policy researcher Paul Barnes with any questions.