GBR - Page 2

DB Cargo 66068, in original EWS livery, passes the Mortimer foot crossing (between Reading and Basingstoke) on July 31 with the 0903 Southampton Western Docks-Birch Coppice intermodal MARK PIKE.

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Comment: ensure rail freight is at the heart of the GBR plans

“Putting passengers first” should not exclude other rail traffic from the narrative, says Maggie Simpson.

Freight 27 Dec

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Heidi Alexander must deliver a railway fit for the 21st century

With GBR still several years away from managing train operations, Philip Haigh explains why the government has to fully engage with today’s railway.

Phil Haigh 13 Dec

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Comment: GBR in 2026 and support for open access and freight

Philip Haigh on new Transport Secretary Louise Haigh’s debut appearance before the House of Commons Transport Select Committee.

Phil Haigh 25 Nov

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GBR a "real winner" for West Midlands - TfWM's Mal Drury-Rose

As Director of Rail at Transport for West Midlands, Mal Drury-Rose is set to play a crucial role as the region targets more control over local rail services.

Regulation 25 Nov

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Comment: Engage the passengers in railway decision-making

From Transport Focus’s perspective, the key to GBR success will ensuring the customer is at the heart of GBR and its decisions, says Alex Robertson.

Passengers 14 Nov

Greater Manchester PTE delivered the highly successful Metrolink tram network. Now Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham wants to bring more local lines into his Bee network, alongside Metrolink. On November 8 2022, Metrolink 3079 and 3049 line up at Deansgate with services to Trafford Bar and Eccles. TOM MCATEE.

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Which route will rail franchising take?

A committed local approach or a more national path? Philip Haigh examines how rail franchises could be transformed in the coming years.

Regulation 14 Oct

The launch of Great British Railways could go hand-in-hand with a campaign to Put Passengers First, says Philip Haigh. Passengers stream along Platform 7 having just arrived at King’s Cross on July 13. JACK BOSKETT.

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GBR: a perfect platform for ‘Putting Passengers First’

Change is on the horizon with Great British Railways. Philip Haigh advocates a national campaign to ensure it delivers for customers.

Policy 11 Oct

Laura Shoaf, West Midlands Combined Authority

News

New Chair Appointed to Oversee UK Rail Reforms

The UK government has today announced the appointment of Laura Shoaf as Chair of Shadow Great British Railways (SGBR).

GBR 3 Oct

Comment

Opinion: GBR starts to take form

Our anonymous industry insider asks whether the new organisation will be a regional or business-led structure.

Industry views 23 Sept

News

GBR ‘will create complication’ in Scotland, Hyslop warns

Integration of track and train in England “cannot be at the expense of Scotland going backward”, SNP Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop has said.

Scotland 11 Sept

Liverpool Street on November 17 2023. GA’s franchise is up for review in September, perhaps too soon to be affected by the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill. MIKE COOPER.

Comment

Labour in a hurry to implement changes on the railway

Christian Wolmar on Labour's first frantic weeks in office and why the new government isn't hanging around when it comes to rail reform.

Christian Wolmar 6 Aug

Avanti West Coast is the principal operator on the West Coast Main Line, and has submitted five different bids for extra train paths as it seeks to return services that were withdrawn during COVID. But it faces competition from a posse of open access operators. AWC 805005 approaches Rugeley Trent Valley on May 10, during a Class 805 ‘Evero’ test run. ALAMY.

News

Further details on rail reform emerge

More detail and reaction on what to expect from the government’s rail reform has emerged. The King set out planned reform to the railways in the state opening of parliament yesterday (July 17) with many of Labour’s manifesto pledges for rail reform included.

Rail reform 18 Jul

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves talking on a train - 2024 - Alamy

News

King’s Speech promises laws to nationalise train operations and set up GBR

The King has just delivered his speech at the State Opening of Parliament, setting out the coming year’s parliamentary agenda included laws to deliver the new Labour government’s railway policies.

Labour Party 17 Jul

Andrew Haines, Chief Executive Network Rail

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Exclusive: Andrew Haines on GBR and the future of rail

Network Rail Chief Executive Andrew Haines believes the industry needs to change after 30 years of stagnation.

Policy 17 Jun

Rishi Sunak launched the Conservative manifesto at Silverstone - ALAMY

News

Conservatives promise GBR and Network North “in full”

There were few surprises in the Conservatives’ election manifesto, with the party pledging to deliver the Network North schemes outlined in last year’s paper as well as establish Great British Railways.

Conservative Party 11 Jun

TransPennine Express 802214 stands at Newcaste on Marche.res one of tour operators that remain under the control of the Department for Transport's Operator of Last Resort, with Labour pledging that others will follow as their contracts expire.

Comment

Labour’s rail reform plans remain a work in progress

Travel writer and broadcaster Christian Wolmar says what emerges in government may look different to the plan the party set out while in opposition.

Christian Wolmar 15 May

Feature

Great British Railways: what happens now?

Legislation is delayed by six months. Some say the organisation is dead already. But the 200 people working for Great British Railways don’t see it that way.

GBR 18 Jan

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