“We fully support the Transport Secretary and Network Rail’s commitment to ensuring all new trains and signalling are digital or digital ready from 2019. After years of industry wrestling with the productivity gap, the time has come to fully embrace digital innovation and take the necessary step forwards to accelerate delivery. We now have the keys to unlock the future – and they lie in the combination of new delivery models and the smart use of technology.

“However; in order for the full benefit of this transformation to be realised we must continue major enhancement investment in the railway, including from the private sector. We look forward to hearing how this announcement aligns with the DfT’s ambitions for increased third party investment and how it could compliment projects such as the AECOM backed Heathrow Southern Rail proposal.

“AECOM is a long-term strategic partner of the UK government and remains committed to developing the necessary infrastructure to serve the country’s future needs, as well as bringing our engineering and delivery capability. Already a valued client, we hope to continue working with Network Rail to support them in achieving their Digital Railway goals.” – Richard Robinson, Chief Executive, Civil Infrastructure, EMIA