The Government has unveiled the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail, which includes proposals to create a new body ‘Great British Railways’ to oversee track and train, alongside plans for new service contracts and flexible fares.
Tim Wood, Transport for the North’s Interim Chief Executive, said: “The North saw first-hand the effects of a fragmented rail industry during the 2018 timetable crisis. The fact that Great British Railways will bring track and train together as the guiding mind and put the needs of passengers first is a giant leap forward and something we’ve championed.”
“This is a major national moment and a shift in how the railway is run. But this national approach must not be a missed opportunity for further devolution, giving the North’s leaders greater oversight of services and infrastructure investment to deliver more integrated regional networks that works for all.”
“The commitment to growing and investing in the railway over the next 30 years only emphasises the real need for the Government to publish the Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands without delay, to give us much-needed certainty on delivery of major schemes like Northern Powerhouse Rail, HS2 and the Transpennine Route Upgrade.
“As an established and effective partnership in the North of England, Transport for the North will collaboratively engage with Government as it begins to work through the detail and we stand ready to drive positive change in the interest of our passengers.”
The Transport for the North Board, made up of the North’s political and business leaders, is due to meet on Wednesday 9 June to discuss the next steps and provide its advice to the Government.
You can read the full Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail publication and report here.