We want to demonstrate value for money and improve the perception of the rail industry by co-operating and promoting partnerships for sustainability.
The Sustainable Rail Programme
The Sustainable Rail Programme (SRP) is a cross industry group facilitated by the Rail Safety Standards Board (RSSB) helping to embed sustainability throughout the industry.
We are represented on the groups that have guided the programme since its inception. In particular, this year we have engaged with the SRP on the development of a framework to embed their sustainable development principles into industry organisations.
Sharing our views
We respond to consultations across a variety of sustainability issues every year. In 2010/11, this has included consultations involving the Department for Transport, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Environment Agency, Office of Rail Regulation (the ORR) and others, on topics including carbon, waste, water, accessibility and heritage.
This has given us the opportunity to influence policy and programmes such as the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme, High Speed 2, and railway electrification.
Partnering on climate change
In 2010/11 we were involved in a number of projects with Defra around our environmental impacts. One of these projects, “Infrastructure, Engineering and Climate Change Adaptation”, looks at how infrastructure like transport, energy and communications networks could be affected by the impacts of climate change and what work is being done to limit the possible damage to these key sectors.
We have also been working with the Met Office to provide information for the Rail Safety Standards Board’s (RSSBs) ‘Tomorrow’s Railway and Climate Change Adaptation’ study to identify and prioritise risks to infrastructure.
Tackling lineside litter and flytipping
In 2010/11, we became one of the founding members of the Litter Challenge Group which includes other businesses, local authorities, Defra and Keep Britain Tidy to discuss strategies for litter prevention.
Our strategy to manage litter and flytipping was noted at the National Litter Convention with particular praise for our Memorandum of Understanding with the London Councils to combat litter. We have strict guidelines for litter removal and aim to respond to complaints from our lineside neighbours within 20 days depending on safety concerns.