Sir Peter Hendy CBE, Chair of Network Rail and former Commissioner of Transport for London, will speak at the Microlise Transport Conference on 20 May 2020, at The Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

In his conference address, Sir Peter, who has been the Chair of Network Rail since 2015, will discuss the critical issue of Bridge Strikes and Network Rail’s current initiatives designed to mitigate against them.

There are an estimated 2,000 bridge strikes annually across the UK, with each strike costing an average of £13,500, for train delays and bridge repairs alone. Leaving costs aside, the risk of a bridge strike derailing a train and causing multiple casualties, is a major public safety concern for everyone.

According to research undertaken by Network Rail, the wider cost to the national economy from bridge strikes is thought to be as high as £23m, once the value of undelivered goods, loss of productivity, vehicle damage, train delays, bridge repairs and road congestion is considered. Hauliers are now being held legally accountable for associated damage to bridges and compensation costs to passengers.

According to Sir Peter, “The prevalence of bridge strikes and the resulting danger they pose, combined with the disruption they cause, should be a major concern for us all. The transport sector must therefore make every effort to work together to actively reduce incidence levels.”

Sir Peter is one of the first speakers announced for the Microlise Transport Conference, which will take place on the 20th May, 2020, at The Ricoh Arena in Coventry – a centrally located venue easily accessible to industry professionals across the UK.

The event has established itself as the industry’s premier conference, offering a thought-provoking and engaging programme of speakers, complimented by four workshop areas, an exhibition area featuring innovative industry suppliers and the opportunity to network with an audience of 1,200.

“The safety of all rail and road users is a critical issue for fleet operators, so we’re delighted to welcome Sir Peter to speak at the conference,” said Nadeem Raza, Chief Executive Officer at Microlise.

“Bridge strikes happen far too frequently and are a major issue for HGV fleet operators. We appreciate Sir Peter taking the time to speak at the conference to address the issue, and in doing so, to work collaboratively with the industry. With 1,200 delegates in the room from operators large and small, this update from such a leading figure will go a long way to helping operators to understand the issue, and how to manage the risk of strikes occurring.”

The Microlise Transport Conference attracts delegates from both managerial and operational areas across fleet transportation, regardless of fleet size, industry sector or technology usage. The one-day conference is free to attend, with a programme designed to provide valuable insight to inform business and strategic decisions.