Mentorship, modernisation and keeping things simple in light rail: A conversation with Colin Robey
With nearly six decades of service in the rail industry, UKTram Board Member Colin Robey and Chair of the Centre of Excellence brings a wealth of experience and an uncompromising passion for public transport.
Colin's journey is one of dedication, innovation and keeping things simple.
In this Q&A, we discuss his impressive career timeline, his insights on the future of light rail and his personal creative outlet…
1) During your time in the industry, you've played a pivotal role in some of the UK's most significant transport developments. What first drew you to the industry, and how has your perspective on rail and light rail evolved over the decades?
Colin: I will complete 60 years of service in the rail industry this August. 32 years in heavy rail and 28 in light rail, including 20 years with UKTram.
When I was coming up to school leaving, I had two careers in mind: the railway or the Royal Navy. I always say the railway answered first, which is partially true. At the time, I also had a girlfriend, and since I've loved every minute of my career and been married to her for 53 years, I think it's fair to say I got that one right!
One of the biggest changes over time has been my growing ability to influence things. If I've learned anything, it's this: keep it simple.
2) You've been instrumental in some major schemes. Which project stands out to you as the most challenging or rewarding, and why?
Colin: People might be surprised by this, but for me, it was the reopening of the Tutbury and Hatton station. It was a very small scheme by railway standards, but it had seven funding sources through two County Councils, two District Councils, two Parish Councils, three Labour-controlled and three Conservative-controlled. Last but not least, Nestlé was also involved.
This caused a list of challenges which had to be carefully managed in relation to the naming of the station and its position.
We also faced the challenge of working with a civil engineering department that had spent the previous 25 years closing railways rather than opening them. But we got there.
The station was basic but effective, and we reduced the estimated cost from £122k to £18k. It opened on 3 April 1989 and paved the way for future projects like Walsall–Hednesford and Nottingham–Mansfield.
3) Through your work with the UKTram Centre of Excellence, you've helped shape key guidance for new and expanding tram systems. What are the biggest opportunities and challenges for the future of light rail in the UK?
Colin: The biggest challenge is the lack of an overarching rail policy. Currently, the DfT oversees heavy rail, while light rail is typically left to local authorities. That's unsustainable, especially as tram-train and mixed-use networks become more viable.
Light rail should have massive opportunities to assist with the move to net-zero targets, given trams' well-known ability to get people out of cars.
I am hopeful that the implementation of Great British Railways will see the ability to grow urban transport massively.
Another challenge is keeping the necessary skill sets together during long periods of no growth in tram building. Local Authority/scheme sponsors must retain the necessary skills to be competent sponsors.
4) Can you share some of the key priorities for the Centre of Excellence this year?
Colin: One of the key areas we're focusing on right now is developing and delivering competent persons for safety validation, which is critical as new projects progress.
We're also continuing to work closely with colleagues at the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board (LRSSB) to help prioritise the review of EN standards, which is vital to ensuring UK interests are protected as the sector evolves.
Another priority is the next generation of light rail professionals. We're looking at ways to engage students and apprentices across the industry with support from the LRTA through initiatives like the Rising Star Award. There is currently a pilot initiative in the West Midlands.
A dedicated subgroup within the Centre is leading another important piece of work that examines the actual base cost of building a tramway, stripping it right back to the essentials. Too often, we've seen projects overloaded with 'urban realm' elements, granite sets here, decorative paving there, which while visually appealing, aren't critical to the function of a tramway and drive up the overall scheme cost.
That's not to say these features aren't important in the right context. But fundamentally, whether a tram runs over paving slabs or granite makes no difference to its operation. The problem is that these additional features often get bundled into the total capital cost of a scheme, which can then make the investment look less viable. We want to draw a clear line between core infrastructure costs and these added features so that future projects are fairly assessed and funded.
Another concern is how costs linked to utilities, like gas and electricity, get allocated. In many cases, schemes end up covering the full cost of street-wide utility upgrades, despite the fact that these networks often benefit far beyond the footprint of the tramway itself. That's something we believe needs to change, and we're actively working on how that can be addressed within future funding frameworks.
5) You also have a passion for poetry. How did you get into writing, and do you see any connections between your creative side and your career in transport?
Colin: Late one night I saw a poetry competition on TV and thought, “I could do better than that.” I couldn’t. But it got me bugged. I submitted a few poems and feedback from people suggested I should keep going. So I did. Then, one was accepted into Midland Verse.
I’ve now published two books of poetry, Pictures in Words and What You See Is What You Get, along with a Children’s book, Sarah Periwinkle’s Lakeland Tale. I’m currently working on a book about my career, which I hope to finish by August.
Regarding the similarities between work and writing, I think the term 'keep it simple' can be applied again here. I would like to think that words paint the picture, although I can't deny that some of the poems are an outlet for emotions. There are at least three that I have written that I get upset when reading, although most are light-hearted.