SHOW PREVIEW: INFRARAIL 2012 09 Date:


NEC Birmingham, UK Website:


1-3 May 2012 Venue:


www.infrarail.com


Exhibitors


Despite weak global economic conditions, the outlook looks good for investment in rail infrastructure in the UK. In January 2012, the government announced that it supported plans to create a high-speed rail network linking London with the West Midlands and eventually northern England. And while it is a long-term project – work on the £32 billion London- Birmingham section of HS2 is not due to start until 2017 – it does mean that the supply industry can begin to plan its competitive response to the great business opportunities this will offer. Completion of the initial 225km section is expected by 2026. A second phase will


www.europeanrailwayreview.com


prepare for ninth Infrarail show


By mid-February 2012 more than 160 exhibitors had confirmed their participation in this year’s Infrarail exhibition of railway infrastructure products and services, which takes place at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, from 1 to 3 May. This will be the ninth in a successful series of these UK-based events by Mack Brooks Exhibitions. The company also organises the popular Railtex show, the two exhibitions alternating year-to-year.


see lines built from Birmingham to Leeds and Manchester by 2033. Meanwhile, work continues on the


£16 billion Crossrail project, a heavy rail electrified east-west suburban line through London, including a key link between the City financial district and Heathrow Airport. Tunnelling work on the core central section has just begun. The capital’s north-south Thameslink route is also currently the subject of a long-term capacity enhancement upgrade. Due to start imminently is a programme of


main line electrification, with the largest project covering the Great Western Main Line from the


capital to Bristol and Cardiff, and including commuter branches to Oxford and Newbury. Lines in northwest England and in Scotland are also to be electrified. Alongside these major schemes are invest -


ments in nationwide improvements to the system in response to the continuously rising passenger and freight demand that confirms the British network as still the fastest growing in Europe. In urban rail, the London Underground net -


work continues to benefit from a comprehensive renewal and modernisation programme, and light-rail systems in several British cities – including Birmingham, Manchester and Nottingham – are being extended. This sets the scene for Infrarail 2012,


which will provide a timely opportunity for companies serving the rail infrastructure market to highlight their capabilities in civil engineering, track, signalling, communications,


European Railway Review Volume 18, Issue 2, 2012


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