[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Over £400 million has been invested in the new Merseyrail fleet that is due to roll out in Spring 2020. That was the main topic of discussion at the Downtown Liverpool dinner event hosted on Wednesday 23rd October 2019, in association with Merseyrail and Network Rail.
The exclusive dinner, which was hosted with the usual fantastic hospitality at the Hilton Liverpool, heard from the Managing Director of Merseyrail, Andy Heath and Patrick Cawley, the Director of Programme Sponsorship at Network Rail.
The event began with the selected audience, being treated to a delicious two-course meal, courtesy of the fantastic culinary team at Hilton Liverpool. After dinner, Andy Heath talked through the new Merseyrail fleet and why it’s is vital to the future of the network compared to the current 40-year-old fleet.
He outlined the future vision for Merseyrail and how it expects to continue to increase passenger numbers once the new fleet is launched. He went onto discuss the challenges and solutions that will be required to ensure that Merseyrail customers continue to experience the same level of service. A key point was that customers will always expect a bigger and better service and how Merseyrail plans to deliver this for its customers.
Andy finished his discussion by explaining how Merseyrail is planning to be innovative and a leader in the transport field and why it can’t wait for Transport of the North to guide it. Andy described several innovations and ideas that Merseyrail is hoping to launch in the future as an example of how it plans to be a market leader.
Patrick Cawley then outlined how Merseyrail and Network Rail have worked together to get the network ready for the new fleet of trains.
He observed that despite the disruption caused to the improvements to the network, including the work carried out at Liverpool Lime Street in 2018, the local economy has managed to overcome the interruption and is not be adversely affected. He also explained that the government’s willingness to invest in projects carried out shows the faith it has in the region’s business community.
Patrick out described a number of improvements Network Rail has made for journeys into Liverpool, including an additional line that links Chester to Liverpool, improvements in the network to create more reliable journeys to London and it’s work on the Merseyrail network as it prepares for the new fleet of trains.
The evening ended with a question and answer session, which saw both Andy and Patrick go into further details on some of the key transport issues that might affect the city region and how the private sector can collaborate with both organisations to continue to improve the services for commuters.
Downtown chief executive and group chairman Frank McKenna commented; “It was amazing to have Patrick and Andy share their expertise and stories with tonight’s audience. There is an awful lot of development going on in the region and the minute and Patrick and Andy highlighted the great work they are carrying out.”
“It was also interesting to hear their plans for the future and how they are planning to ensure the investment into the local rail network will continue and this can only be a good thing for rail users.”
“Finally, I’d like to thank the Hilton Hotel for their incredible hospitality as usual and thank everyone to attended to contributing to what I think everyone will agree was an interesting and informative discussion.”
If you are interested in attending future Downtown in Business events contact chelsea.plaskitt@downtowninbusiness.com[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30″][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”43720,43721,43722,43723,43724,43725,43726″ layout=”constrained_fullwidth” item_spacing=”default” gallery_style=”1″ load_in_animation=”none” img_size=”300×300″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
