Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Transport Update

09 June 2022 · Department for Transport

Proposed by Grant Shapps Con Welwyn Hatfield

Transport

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

View on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • The Department for Transport launched a public consultation on legislative changes to reform the UK's railway system.
  • The consultation focuses on establishing Great British Railways with defined functions, ensuring accountability through a new governance framework, and restructuring industry processes.
  • The government seeks public views to shape these reforms which are essential for implementing the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail.

Issue summary

The statement discusses a public consultation launched by the Department for Transport on legislative changes required to reform the UK's railway system, following the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail.

Action requested

The minister is launching a public consultation focusing on three key areas: establishing Great British Railways with clear functions and duties, ensuring accountability through a new governance framework, and restructuring industry processes for better service delivery. The government seeks views to shape these reforms, which are crucial for delivering the vision set out in the Plan for Rail.

Key facts

  • The Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail was published in May 2021.
  • Primary legislation is required to deliver key structural reforms of the railways.
  • New flexible season tickets were introduced last summer.
  • GBRTT, under Andrew Haines, drives forward rail reforms and develops Great British Railways model.
  • The GBRTT oversees a competition for the location of Great British Railways' national headquarters outside London.
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