WOLVERHAMPTON, WEST MIDLANDS - UK: 7AM, THURSDAY MAY 20TH 2021

Kashmire Hawker – Wolverhampton based member of the West Midlands Young Combined Authority (WMYCA), the board’s Co-Portfolio Lead for Transport and an Independent Member of the West Midlands Trains Stakeholder Equality Group, releases the following statement, following the publication of the Williams-Shapps Rail Review:

"The outcome of the long awaited Williams-Shapps Rail Review, does signal some positive signs for the future of our incredible and vitally important rail system.

The announcement on Flexible Ticketing, the aims of becoming a world leader in decarbonisation of the industry, making it a green and clean as possible, giving passengers greater opportunities to voice there concerns and ensuring uniquely skilled job opportunities, are among the WMYCA's aims and aspirations as outlined in our February 2021 Vision Document and all should be brought to fruition as soon as possible.

It isn't a surprise, that the Private Sector will continue to play a role, but regardless of that fact - there contibution to the development of train and track has produced major benefits, which I hope will be maintained - particularly on the standards of rolling stock. Seeing that West Midlands Trains have a Stakeholder Equality Group; which I am proud to sit upon, demonstrates that opportunities to shape the future is large.

I and others who love our network, will watch closely how things develop and I super look forward to continuing my dialogue, work with and scrutiny of Transport for West Midlands, the rail companies themselves and hopefully Great British Railways through the as mentioned posts I hold.

END.