Tim Danvers, Head of Business Development, Atkins Realis

The bigger question is why do we want an integrated system – it’s because we want to improve the health and the wealth of the nation… If a station is integrated, it becomes something totally different.

I keep altering what I was going to say because most people have said it. But some observations. Re David’s point on passenger, the bigger question is why do we want an integrated system – it’s because we want to improve the health and the wealth of the nation. Andy Burnham last night talked about place. It’s about making connectivity, making life easier and better.

It’s in our gift to deliver all of this. We can do it today, we don’t need to create some innovation. We’re at a point in time where that can happen, because the railway is looking now at how to change itself, as well as to change society. GBRTT, no pressure, but when you start to think about your actions, how will that integrate into other things. If a station is integrated, it becomes something totally different.

Be careful what you ask for. Engineers can deliver you anything, but is it affordable, sustainable?  We need to start to think about what we’re trying to achieve.