The government has revealed plans to transform Britain’s railways, in the biggest overhaul since its privatisation in 25 years
The new public body, Great British Railways, aims to integrate the railways and deliver passenger-focused travel with simpler, modern fares and reliable services.
The Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail reflects the independent recommendations of Keith Williams.
Williams identified serious issues facing the railways before Covid struck.
The Williams-Shapps Plan to reform Britain’s railways visualises a management system that is similar to the Transport for London model, with multiple operators under one brand, bringing better accountability while prioritising passengers and freight.
‘The biggest reform to the railway in 3 decades’
Transport secretary Grant Shapps, said: “To meet these challenges this government is introducing the biggest reform to the railway in 3 decades.
“We are committed to delivering a rail system that is the backbone of a cleaner, greener public transport system, offering passengers a better deal and greater value for money for taxpayers.
“That means getting the trains to run on time, providing a better quality of service and having a firm control of the sector’s costs.”
The current infrastructure owner, Network Rail will be absorbed into this new organisation, as will many functions from the Rail Delivery Group and Department for Transport.
Great British Railways (GBR) will run and plan the network, own the infrastructure, and collect most fare revenue. It will procure passenger services and set most fares and timetables.
Shapps added: “We will grow, not shrink, the network, continuing to invest tens of billions of pounds in new lines, trains, services and electrification.
“These changes will transform the railways for the better.”
The rail transformation programme will deliver 10 key outcomes:
- A modern passenger experience
- A retail revolution
- New ways of working with the private sector
- Economic recovery and financial sustainable railways
- Greater control for local people and places
- Cleaner, greener railways
- Bold, new opportunities for rail freight
- Increased speed of delivery and efficient enhancements
- Skilled, innovative workforce
- A simpler industry structure.
Matthew Farrow, director of policy at the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE), commented: “Following the pandemic, both passengers and the rail sector require a fresh start, and this review provides that opportunity.
“The plan for an integrated ‘guiding mind’ – Great British Railways – is welcome and should enable a joined-up strategy with an eye on the longer term, especially vital as we move towards tackling overarching issues such as the decarbonisation of the railway and fare reform.
“The elephant in the room is the finances of the network – more than £12bn has been provided in emergency investment by the government since the start of the pandemic – and nurturing the emergence of a economically sustainable system which is also attractive to passengers looking for more flexibility than before, will be key.
“Moving to a new simplified organisational structure will enable better strategic decision-making which balances financial considerations, ambitions for us to build back better post-pandemic, and Net Zero goals.”
