Introduction

The Railway Network’s gala evening of the year provides an unrivalled opportunity to network and become further involved with the Institution. Each year the lecture is given by a high profile speaker who presents a talk to give unique insight into the future direction of railways in the UK and Europe. The dinner held in the Institution’s Riverside Room with spectacular views over the River Thames, provides a relaxed occasion in which to make new contacts, share experiences or treat clients to an entertaining evening through taking a branded table.

Creating the Right Conditions for Rail Freight Growth

Economic and environmental pressures all point to a significant growth in demand for rail freight over the next 20 years. Lord Berkeley, Chairman of the Rail Freight Group will explain the reasons and suggest solutions to the capacity and capability challenges that the railway will face, including more electrification of the network.

Last year's lecture was given by Ian Brown, Managing Director of Transport for London, London Rail Directorate. You can view a webcast of the lecture on IET.tv.

About the Speaker – Lord Berkeley, Chairman, Rail Freight Group

Lord Berkeley is Chairman of the Rail Freight Group, the representative body of the UK rail freight industry. He was Public Affairs Manager of Eurotunnel from 1981 until the end of construction of the Channel Tunnel in 1994 and, before that, worked for George Wimpey on a number of multi-discipline projects around the world.

He sits in the House of Lords and was an opposition Transport Spokesperson 1996-7. He is Secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Rail Group and of the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group.

He is a Board Member of the European Rail Freight Association. Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport. He is also President of the UK Marine Pilots Association and a Harbour Commissioner for the port of Fowey in Cornwall