One month into the new Tory administration Perry will for the first time address the rail industry with a vision for the future of rail.

Rail Minister Claire Perry MP is to deliver a keynote presentation at the forthcoming  Railway Engineers Forum Technical Seminar to outline the new Government strategic thinking for rail freight and the wider agenda for railways for the next 5 years.

Perry's appearance at the industry event on on 15 June underlines the government's committment to investing in the rail sector and will provide the industry with a first hand opportunity to hear how its critical role in UK transport will be maintained.

Railway Engineers Forum Technical Seminar & RCEA Parliamentary Reception 

A New Agenda for UK Rail Freight for the New Parliament

Monday 15th June 2015 from 0830 hrs

The Institution of Civil Engineers,  One Great George Street, Westminster

Parliamentary evening reception on the Terrace of the House of Lords, 1830hrs.

To book email: ref@springboard-marketing.co.uk 

Delegates will be encouraged to take part in a discussion with Perry during a question and answere session fascilitated by Infrastructure Intelligence editor Antony Oliver.

The one day event will be hosted by Lawrie Quinn, chairman of the Railway Engineers Forum (REF) and former Member of Parliament and, alongside Perry, will feature a range of influential speakers and panellists to discuss the issue facing the rail sector going forward, with particular focus this year on the challeges of rail freight industry .

"The Railway Engineers Forum believes that rail freight is a crucial part of the UK’s economy, and its needs must be balanced against that of passenger rail," said Quinn. "REF has called on Government to produce a freight strategy, considering road and rail freight together, to ensure a coherent and fair policy. This must also set out and consult on the practical steps required to achieve its strategic outcomes, including the modal shift from road to rail and the decarbonisation of freight transport. "

The Technical Seminar supports these ambitions and deliver lively debate and discussion on the sustainable agenda for rail freight from the start of the new Parliament ahead of an evening reception at the House of Lords.

"We are pleased to be able to continue these discussions by holding an evening parliamentary reception with the Railway Civil Engineers Association, RCEA, in the House of Lords," exlained Quinn. "REF members and rail industry leaders can engage with Government Ministers,  MPs & Peers in support of rail freight, transport and wider infrastructure investment issues."

See viewpoint by Rail Freight Group executive director Maggie Simpson