Pre-Budget Report: Rail Transport Set For Boost By Duncan Freer At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Chancellor Alistair Darling’s Pre-Budget Report (PBR) caused shockwaves throughout UK PLC and has been heralded as one of the most extraordinary packages of measures presented by a Chancellor in a long time. It seems that the government really does understand just how serious things are outside the hallowed halls of Parliament and has reacted accordingly, giving the country an economic shot in the arm with a plethora of measures, all designed to pull the country out of recession as quickly as possible.

The PBR announced a massive investment in the country’s infrastructure, with £3billion worth of proposals initially set for 2010-11 being brought forward to 2009. One of the main beneficiaries of this cascade of financial aid has been the rail industry, with the government committed to ploughing millions back into the rail system. This is good news for railway jobs and vacancies within the industry, as more rolling stock and more trains will obviously need more staff to maintain and operate them.

Network Rail published its interim financial and performance results recently, and it was revealed that punctuality was at its highest levels since records began in 1992. The improvements are the result of continued investment in the infrastructure of Network Rail’s system, meaning a better service for both passengers and freight operators. The report revealed that £2,200million had been invested in the British rail network over a six month period, amounting to a 25% increase in capital expenditure compared to the same period in the previous year. In the face of what seems to be economic meltdown generally, that’s a massive investment in an industry many thought was dead on its feet. It seems that the rail network has turned a corner.

The PBR also boosted this rosy picture by bringing forward an increase in rolling stock originally destined to go into production in 2014. The Department of Transport had been expecting to pay for 1,300 new carriages, but with the announcements in the PBR it now looks like plans for at least 200 new trains will be fast-tracked. As well as easing passenger congestion and updating an ageing rolling stock, this decision to inject cash into the rail system will boost one of the country’s remaining heavy industries, giving a much needed lift to skilled manufacturing and supplier’s jobs. Rail vacancies will increase as a consequence of this investment, giving those seeking rail jobs more opportunity to join an industry that is set to move forward in the next few years.

Campaigners are also hoping that this shift in government policy – from mothballing many major projects just a year ago to reviving them as a means to boost the economy – will also mean that plans such as the new north-south high speed line will burst back into life, again boosting jobs within the rail industry. The Chancellor has pledged to invest £20billion into the UK economy, with at least £3billion of that earmarked for key infrastructure projects. The Crossrail project will cost the government £16billion but yield up a long-term return of £66billion, adding fuel to the old adage that to make money, you have to spend money.

This financial manoeuvring is good news for rail jobs, as skilled people will be needed throughout the industry to take part in one of the biggest overhauls of the rail network in years. Despite the media stories of a country in meltdown, behind the scenes there is a great deal to be positive about, including better opportunities for foundation industries and infrastructures, a greater development of an overall UK PLC strategy and long-term solutions rather than short-term quick fixes. All of which will lead to a more stable job market for those looking for rail vacancies and careers within the rail industry.

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