Rail reform: fears GBR could "mark its own homework" raised in parliamentary meeting

Separation of powers under Great British Railways was the key topic under discussion when the All-Party Parliamentary Rail Group convened on March 17.

Lucy Ryan, who leads on rail reform at the Department for Transport, was challenged on whether GBR would have suitable control of the rail network.

Asked by former Conservative Transport Secretary Sir George Young if GBR would end up “marking its own homework”, Ryan replied that the DfT would have the role of providing strategic direction, but would not be running the railways.

“We intend to bring direction to GBR, and a vision. And this is partly the reason as to why GBR is being established, as we want accountability for the railways,” she said.

“But GBR is there to provide leadership and accountability, so we know who to blame. And nobody is working in isolation.”

Office of Rail and Road Chief Executive John Larkinson added that ORR would have the powers to intervene if GBR strayed from the vision set out for it by the DfT.

He said that ORR “intends to give provision of law” to decide “fairly and non-discriminatory” on issues between both GBR and DfT, while adding that it was crucial that ORR retained powers.

He also said that he expects the DfT to have a “very clear option for redress if GBR does not follow the DfT’s policies or direction”.

However, that separation of powers could be a little less clear regarding devolution, with Ryan admitting that the Transport Secretary would have a large say in decisions regarding devolution in rail.

Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Pidgeon asked who would hold the power if a mayor wanted to take over a city metro system.

Ryan replied that GBR would take into account the national network, and was expecting some partnerships between cities and central government to be “deeper than others”.

Pressed on who would have the final say, Ryan replied that a dialogue would need to be had, with the final decision made by the Secretary of State.

The SoS and DfT will also have powers regarding fares, with Ryan stating that “GBR will have guiderails, but the Secretary of State will have the capacity and legislation to set those parameters”.

Ryan added that the consultation would determine where some further powers would eventually sit, and that she was keen to hear from the industry on how the process could be further refined.