News
Comment
Governance
- Legislation
- Finance
- GBR
- Policy
- Regulation
Safety
- Health and wellbeing
- Investigations
Sustainability
- Decarbonisation
- Climate adaptation
Infrastructure
Rolling Stock
Operations
Resource centre
Subscribe
- Newsletter
- Magazine
Events

devolution

Two areas in England that already have devolution are Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. On December 30 2024, 323206 (formerly named Barnt Green) waits at Manchester Piccadilly with the 2006 service to Crewe. Despite its West Midlands livery, the ‘323’ is actually in the service of Northern, being one of 17 such cascaded away from the Midlands in 2023-24. TOM MCATEE.

Feature

Rail devolution… and integration

The English Devolution White Paper and the government’s rail reform consultation are together proposing a major shift of power from central to local government.

Policy 2 Apr

Full devolution of rail could see more integrated transport, similar to that of Transport for London, with rail, trams, buses and metro systems consolidated under an individual region's control. A Northern Line train approaches Waterloo station on June 1 2022. JACK BOSKETT.

Comment

Analysis: The vision from devolution is not yet in focus

Before last July’s General Election, we devised a seven-point manifesto for Britain’s railways. Richard Wilcock considers the progress on devolution.

Industry views 2 Apr

Comment

Guest Comment: Rail devolution under GBR

Will there be local control or a guiding mind, asks Rail Partners Chief Executive Andy Bagnall.

Industry views 12 Mar

Metrolink Manchester Trafford Centre

News

New Devolution Framework unveiled could help Mayors control rail services

The Government has outlined further plans for devolution for English regions as Deputy Prime Minister Angela Raynor released its English Devolution White Paper on December 16.

Department for Transport 17 Dec

Early signs suggest a better working relationship between new Transport Secretary Louise Haigh and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. The two discuss plans at the official opening of Siemens’ £200 million train manufacturing facility at Goole in October. ALAMY.

Feature

Rail devolution: sidelined, delayed or arriving soon?

Transport for London has long wanted to take over more of the capital’s suburban rail network, but how would that fit in with central rail policy? By Tom Edwards

Policy 15 Nov

Merseyrail has introduced a new fleet of Class 777 electric multiple units, and Mayor Steve Rotheram also wants more services to improve connections across the Liverpool City Region. Merseyrail 777037 arrives at Blundellsands & Crosby station on July 17 with the 1212 Southport to Hunts Cross service. PAUL BIGGS.

Feature

Devolution revolution signals a change in how services are run

The new government wants to give Metro Mayors and their Combined Authorities more powers and a bigger say in how local rail services are run.

Policy 13 Nov

Liverpool Street February 2024. ALAMY

Feature

The changing role of our railway stations

Innovations to improve Britain’s stations often meet stumbling blocks in the form of red tape. Peter Plisner investigates.

Stations 28 Aug

News

TfN urges commitment to further devolution

A national approach to railways “must not be a missed opportunity for further devolution”, says Transport for the North’s Interim Chief Executive Tim Wood.

20 Jun

News

Transport for the North urges increased devolution

The Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail presents an opportunity for increased devolution and local oversight of train services and infrastructure

29 May

News

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Shadow Transport Secretary Jim McMahon talks to RAIL

JIM MCMAHON tells RICHARD CLINNICK how he plans to tackle the issues facing the rail industry from the Labour front benches

6 Jul

News

Devolution key to regional stimulus - Armitt

The issues affecting Transport for London do not dissuade National Infrastructure Commission Chairman's views on devolving powers to Mayors

28 May

News

Burnham delivers rallying cry for local powers and funding

Mayor for Greater Manchester goes into detail regarding plans for GM Rail.

20 Nov

News

Simpson fears threat to freight from potential for ‘bad devolution’

"The point is that there’s good and there’s bad devolution" - Maggie Simpson

19 Nov

News

EXCLUSIVE: West Midlands stakes a claim for Nottingham traffic

West Midlands Rail eyes part of CrossCountry contract

28 Feb

Comment

RAIL 826: Franchising must now evolve

RAIL 826: Franchising must now evolve - Regional devolution and Brexit demand an urgent rethink

Editor's comment 10 May

News

“I sense real change at the moment”

Network Rail’s London North Western Route Managing Director MARTIN FROBISHER talks on NR’s devolution strategy

8 Apr

News

The tide is turning at Network Rail

Chief Executive MARK CARNE tells NIGEL HARRIS how he will lead the biggest shake-up of NR since its birth in 2002

25 Feb

News

First view of livery for West Midlands franchise

West Midlands Rail has launched the livery for the West Midlands franchise that begins in October.

1 Feb

Southern 455819 at Clapham Junction. RICHARD CLINNICK.

News

Mayor of London presents business case for TfL taking on new routes

Devolving inner-suburban services to TfL would deliver the equivalent of £4.30 for every £1 spent says business case submitted by Sadiq Khan.

25 Oct

Feature

"I'm here because I want to make a difference"

Network Rail’s ROB MCINTOSH explains to PHILIP HAIGH how increased devolution and changing NR’s processes will shape the challenges he faces

Regulation 1 Oct

<<
<
1
2
>
>>

Most read

67003 in EWS livery whilst stabled at Plymouth in August 2001. MARK PIKE.

No takers so first DB Cargo UK Class 67 goes for scrap

DB Cargo UK 2 Jun

Artist's impression of a Class 222 in Lumo colours. LUMO.

FirstGroup explains why Class 222s were "only option" for Lumo Euston-Stirling service

6 Jun

Curzon Street station, Birmingham

HS2 faces £100bn cost and delay until late-2030s, government told

HS2 14 May

GBRF Railfreight Construction 66793 stands at Derby, working 6M72 0322 Grain Oil Terminal Gbrf to Sinfin Sdgs, on Tuesday 12th November 2024. STEVEN DONALD.

GB Railfreight planning to repurpose at least 12 more Class 66s for heavy trainloads

GB Railfreight 22 May

DB Cargo 66181, in red livery, passes Barrow upon Soar on the Midland Main Line on September 6 2024, with the 1055 East Midlands Gateway-Felixstowe North intermodal. The unit has been identified as one of those next in line for conversion. PAUL BIGGS.

DB Cargo UK discussing transferring drivers to rival as it deals with Network Rail contract loss

DB Cargo UK 27 May

An East Midlands Railway Class 222 approaches Braybrooke on the Midland Main Line. PAUL BIGGS.

FirstGroup confirms Class 222s for Euston-Stirling Lumo route

Lumo 2 Jun

TransPennine's Mk 5A stock is currently in storage

Chiltern Railways on verge of agreeing deal to take ex-TransPennine Express Mk 5s

Chiltern Railways 14 May

67004 pulling the 0450 Edinburgh-Fort William Caledonian Sleeper at Achallader on March 30 2013. ANTHONY HICKS.

Why the Class 67s have been running on borrowed time for nearly the whole of their lives

DB Cargo UK 5 Jun

The New Measurement Train. COLIN G WOOD.

Network Rail begins process to replace rail infrastructure monitoring trains

Network Rail 20 May

To get the latest Rail
content direct to your inbox

LinkedIn
Twitter
Facebook

Rail RSS news
Sitemap
Advertising on RAIL

Privacy policy
Website terms of use
Complaints policy
Competition terms and conditions
Advertising terms and conditions
Privacy settings
Our advertisers
Speak Up
The RAIL team

Register to receive our range of digital content, including newsletters and special reports.

Register now

Office Address

RAIL magazine, Media House, Lynch Wood Peterborough, PE2 6EA

Contact us

© Bauer Consumer Media Ltd - Media House, Lynch Wood, Peterborough, PE2 6EA - Registered number 01176085

www.railmagazine.com is the most read title on Readly in its aeroplanes and transport 'top title' awards category in 2025 (highest average readership per issue in 2024).

Contact us

By submitting any material to us you are confirming that the material is your own original work or that you have permission from the copyright owner to use the material and to authorise Bauer Consumer Media to use it as described in this paragraph. You also promise that you have permission from anyone featured or referred to in the submitted material to it being used by Bauer Consumer Media. If Bauer Consumer Media receives a claim from a copyright owner or a person featured in any material you have sent us, we will inform that person that you have granted us permission to use the relevant material and you will be responsible for paying any amounts due to the copyright owner or featured person and/or for reimbursing Bauer Consumer Media for any losses it has suffered as a result.