GBR: MPs ask Lord Hendy for clarity on key point in rail reform consultation

MPs have told the Rail Minister they want more information on part of the rail reform consultation that was published last month.

Members of the Transport Select Committee have written to Lord Hendy, asking whether statutory duties for the consideration of freight, accessibility, the environment and wider benefits (economic and social) will form part Great British Railway’s (GBR) licence.

MPs noted that one paragraph of the consultation document (A railway fit for Britain’s future) says GBR will be “subject to a substantively streamlined and simplified licence”, given it will operate both trains and infrastructure.

They also said highlighted the consultation suggests the licence “should be specific and focused on the minimum viable set of conditions that are required for safety, performance (i.e. reliability and cancellations), efficiency, and passenger experience” so GBR could “focus on delivering for passengers and other users of the railway”.

The committee noted that the Conservative Government’s draft Rail Reform Bill from February 2024 included clauses that would have meant a GBR licence would require to make provision in these areas.

MP said if these considerations were not part of GBR’s licence they “would be keen to hear whether the Government has in mind other mechanisms for ensuring that Great British Railways promotes these specific ends”.

“We are sure that you share a commitment to ensuring GBR acts strongly in the public interest and that there will be robust conditions which hold it to account in this regard,” the letter, signed by committee Chair Ruth Cadbury (Labour), said.

MPs also asked for wanted reassurance that “all necessary steps have been taken to ensure that disabled people and disabled people’s organisations in particular have been given adequate time, opportunities and support to engage fully in the consultation process”.

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