A British railway sector delegation is visiting Saudi Arabia to explore opportunities in building urban railways in the capital.

“Setting up urban railways in the city would ease traffic congestion here. He pointed out that such a network within the city limits will not only help the people who do not have vehicles but would also help others as a quick mode of transport without any traffic jams,” Tim Gray, international business development director of the Railway Industry Association (RIA), who is leading a 15-member delegation, was quoted as saying by the Arab News.

“We have discussed this matter with concerned officials and they have shown interests in such a project that would help people and goods to be ferried without loss of time,” he said. Gray also met with the key officers at the Ministry of Transport and discussed ways and means of co-operating with each other, he added.

The delegation represents officials from 15 companies under RIA who have the expertise in technology, techniques, operations and maintenance of the railway sector. The purpose of the mission is to share British skills and expertise with Saudi partners, who are involved in the upcoming railway projects in the Kingdom, he added.

During its stay in the eastern province, the delegation met with the key officials of the Saudi Railway Organization and expressed the group’s support and cooperation in its programmes. The team will also visit Jeddah during this week.

British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia William Patey said it is good to see representatives from British railway companies here, when the Kingdom is expanding its railway network and investing in developing its infrastructure.