RIA North welcomes new Chair of the Rail North Committee
This week on Wednesday 7 June, the Rail North Committee (RNC) announced the election of a new Chair, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham. The Rail North Committee advises the Transport for the North Board on rail services and infrastructure improvements and all matters relating to rail franchise and contract management in the Rail North area. As Chair, Andy Burnham will oversee the strategic direction of the Committee.
Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe Leader of Bradford Council, was announced as Majority group Vice Chair, and a Minority group Vice Chair is yet to be appointed. Andy Burnham takes over from Liverpool City Council leader, Councillor Liam Robinson.
Commenting, RIA North Chair Justin Moss, said: “On behalf of RIA North, I would like to congratulate Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, on becoming Chair of the Rail North Committee. The rail supply industry has met and worked closely with him and his team, and we look forward to further engagement with him, with his new role too and continuing this constructive relationship in the future.
“Rail passengers have been returning to rail in encouraging numbers post-Covid, despite the challenges of industrial action and poor service levels in some parts of the network. But there are of course concerns over delivering major rail projects in the North, such as HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail and Transpennine Route Upgrade. RIA North and our supplier members are ready to work closely with the new Chair and the Rail North Committee members on an ambitious rail agenda to build an even better, world-class, rail network for the North in the future.”
