The extent to which future rolling stock will be battery powered and the requirement for further electrification is to be defined by Great British Railways’ (GBR) Long Term Rolling Stock and Infrastructure Strategy (LTRS&IS). There have recently been various reports and events concerning rail electrification. Furthermore, the UK Government’s emerging stance of rail electrification is becoming clear.
It therefore seems timely to provide an update on rail electrification. This includes the differing views of the Westminster and Scottish Governments. It also explains why the LTRS&IS must consider freight electrification and how this would benefit the passenger railway.
RIA freight report
In July, the Railway Industry Association (RIA) published its report ‘Growing rail freight: the need for targeted electrification.’ This report concluded that electric freight haulage must be maximised to unlock the full economic and environmental value of rail freight. Hence, this should be a focus of the long-term rolling stock and infrastructure strategy for GBR which is currently under development.
