Policy - Page 3

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

News

Louise Haigh gives indication of when first train operators to be taken over by government will be announced

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has indicated when the first train operators will have services transferred to the government, and when she expected all ten to be taken over

Louise Haigh 13 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

Comment

A better way to assess the true value of transport policies

CHANGE is the watchword of the new government. At the recent Labour conference in Liverpool, the words “change begins” were ubiquitous on posters everywhere, although what that entailed was mostly left unexplained.

Christian Wolmar 16 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.

Feature

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

Comment

Opinion: Haigh launches Shadow GBR - but we’re still in the dark

Labour's nationalisation plan is driven by ideology, says Christian Wolmar, and it's unclear if and when it will solve the industry's problems.

Christian Wolmar 25 Sept

Olly Glover MP Didcot and Wantage (Liberal Democrat)

Comment

Guest Opinion: Our railway needs a lot more now than nationalisation

Sidestep the public vs private debate and focus more closely on better public transport, says the new Liberal Democrat MP Olly Glover.

Industry views 24 Sept

50007 and 50048 pass Lambrigg on August 24 with the Taunton to Aberdeen railtour. TOM MCATEE

Comment

RAIL comment: Labour’s blueprint for rail

Can the latest strategic report, the Rail and Urban Transport Review chaired by former Siemens UK head Juergen Maier, deliver a successful long-term strategy?

Editor's comment 17 Sept

Comment

Comment: Do Labour's first few months signal a fresh start for rail?

Rail Review Editorial Board Chairman Sir Michael Holden assesses Labour's new track record in rail.

Policy 16 Sept

Rail union members and campaigners call for nationalisation and public ownership of the railways in an Action for Rail campaign outside London Bridge station in 2016. How far the government is able to go with its nationalisation plans may well depend on the money available. ALAMY.

Comment

Analysis: will nationalisation best serve rail passengers?

Nationalisation is Labour’s special word for change in the way Britain’s railways are run, but what will it really mean? Howard Johnston investigates.

Industry views 6 Sept

LOUISE HAIGH, Secretary of State for Transport, arrives at 10 Downing Street as cabinet meet. ALAMY

News

Transport Secretary launches rail reform era

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has unveiled the first steps to setting up the new body responsible for the country’s rail network - Great British Railways (GBR).

DfT 3 Sept

Iarnród Éireann 2724 waits at Gort with August 11 2010’s 0640 Galway-Limerick, as 2711 vacates the single line with the 0600 Limerick-Galway. This section of line had just reopened as the first phase of a project to restore Ireland’s Western Rail Corridor. Subsequent phases, such as Athenry to Claremorris, fell victim to economic challenges but are being put forward once again by the All-Island Strategic Rail Review. DAVID THROWER.

Comment

Analysis: Ireland's All-Island Strategic Rail Review

Ireland’s All-Island Strategic Rail Review has ambitious designs to transform and develop the countries’ rail network. Philip Haigh examines the facts and figures.

Phil Haigh 2 Sept

Comment

Opinion: Who will pay for the drivers' pay deal?

The government is walking a financial tightrope, says Howard Johnston.

Industry views 29 Aug

News

DfT considers changes to investment rules

The way in which rail schemes are financially assessed could change.

Policy 22 Aug

News

Rail and Urban Transport Review calls for a paradigm shift in rail

Industry heavyweight Juergen Maier CBE has unveiled a bold vision for the future of the UK's rail and urban transport infrastructure, urging a radical overhaul to create a more connected, affordable, and high-capacity network.

Infrastructure 21 Aug

Comment

Opinion: Restoring railways needs a lighter, quicker touch

‘Reversing Beeching’ was precisely the sort of gimmicky performative government style that helped discredit the Conservative brand, says Christian Wolmar.

Christian Wolmar 19 Aug

Comment

Opinion: public ownership, staffing levels and pay awards

Service cuts illustrate the pitfalls of public control, says our industry insider.

Editor's comment 8 Aug

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

News

Train cancellations close to worse ever, ORR report shows

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has released its annual assessment of the industry, highlighting that overall performance of the network had stabilised during the last year (excluding the Wales and Western Region) however, it did warn that Network Rail had work to do on coping better with severe weather.

Office of Rail and Road 25 Jul