‘Exciting moment’ as rail reforms move forward
Government plans to bring the UK’s railway network back into public ownership are steaming ahead, after legislation to create a state-owned rail company went before parliament this week.
The return of Britain’s railways was a key manifesto pledge for the incoming Labour government in 2024, and should the government’s Railways Bill eventually pass into law sometime around 2027, transport minister Heidi Alexander says the new organisation will create a “new, publicly owned company that prioritises passengers and their experiences”.
East Midlands mayor Claire Ward described the establishment of Great British Railways, which is set to be headquartered in Derby, as a “truly exciting moment” for the region.
The company will absorb the functions of Network Rail to take control of most of the country’s rail infrastructure, and is intended to take control of passenger rail services as contracts with existing operators expire.
The move would see passenger services and infrastructure brought together under one publicly owned entity for the first time since British Rail was privatised under the Conservative government of John Major during the mid-1990’s.
South Western Railway became the first railway service to transfer back into public ownership during May this year.
“Today’s passengers are at the mercy of a complex system of poorly coordinated organisations, all incentivised to look inward and outsource blame. GBR will put an end to this by bringing together the work of 17 different organisations – from train operators to public bodies, government, and the regulator – eliminating unnecessary duplication and creating a single organisation responsible for operating, maintaining and improving our railways,” said Alexander.
“GBR will work in partnership with devolved leaders to create a national railway that serves local needs.
“England’s mayors will have a greater say in how the railways will run, enabling genuine local influence and laying the foundations for integrated public transport that meets the needs of the communities it serves.”
In September 2024, the government announced that Derby would become home to the headquarters of Great British Railways, beating off competition from Crewe, Birmingham, York and Doncaster.
Meanwhile, plans to restore a direct link between Birmingham and Swindon for the first time in 20 years are set to move forward following the completion of a £1.7bn Midlands rail hub in around five years time, according to Swindon North MP Will Stone.
The move would be made possible by extra capacity provided by the new rail hub, and could provide an extra 2m seats per year for passengers travelling between the two towns.
“We’re a town built on connection via the railways, and so it’s great to see Swindon getting an hourly service between a fellow industrial town like Birmingham,” he said.
“Innovative projects like the Midlands Rail Hub prove that investments in our railways, fully funded by the Chancellor, are transformative for communities, bringing new jobs and skills to areas across the country.”
