Policy - Page 4

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Coast Main Line, and has submitted five different bids for extra train paths as it seeks to return services that were withdrawn during COVID.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

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Shadow Transport Secretary Louise Haigh meet workers at Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe depot on April 25, the day Labour published its Getting Britain Moving plan

News

Industry reacts to Labour's landslide election victory

The rail industry has reacted to Labour’s landslide general election victory with many keen to see the plan the party laid out in its manifesto change enacted quickly.

Labour Party 8 Jul

Getting more people to use trains by making the product cheaper and more user-friendly is key to boosting rail, say Wolmar and RAIL readers. An LNER Azuma train pulls in to York station on June 2. ALAMY.

Comment

Opinion: mind the gaps in Labour's plans for rail

Can rail fill the transport holes apparent in Labour's manifesto? Christian Wolmar outlines the ways

Christian Wolmar 3 Jul

Led by a Nederlandse Spoorwegen Vectron locomotive, the Berlin-Amsterdam inter-city service (which is operated by Deutsche Bahn together with Nederlandse Spoorwegen) is about to leave Berlin Hauptbanhof on May 8. ALAMY.

Feature

European differences and similarities

Labour would pursue a slow renationalisation if elected on Thursday. Steve Medhurst looks at how other European countries operate their railways

Policy 3 Jul

TransPennine Express 802203 crosses Sankey Viaduct with the 0824 Liverpool Lime Street-Newcastle on April 9 2023. TPE is one of the operators currently under the control of the DfT’s Operator of Last Resort - so effectively under public ownership. JAMIE SQUIBBS.

Comment

Conservative and Labour: comparing the policies

Ian Tucker compares the rail policies of the two main parties fighting the election on July 4th.

Policy 28 Jun

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

Comment

Leader comment: Are we on track for real change?

RAIL's 7-point plan versus manifesto party promises.

Editor's comment 26 Jun

The Department for Transport has been criticised for failing to update the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline since it was first published in 2019, leaving companies in the supply chain in the dark on infrastructure work. NETWORK RAIL.

Comment

Analysis: Rail reform the first big test for incoming ministers

Separate Commons committee reports reveal the railway to-do list that hasn’t been moved forward, and which an incoming government will now have to tackle

Phil Haigh 25 Jun

Freightliner 66504 overshadowed by Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station. The company wants guaranteed train paths. Pic: JACK BOSKETT

Feature

What rail freight needs to survive and thrive

Train operators, container port owners and supply chain experts describe the paths that the government and the freight companies should take for growth.

Policy 24 Jun

Comment

Comment: Labour plans old and new

Rip off the sticking plasters and prepare for change, says Christian Wolmar

Christian Wolmar 18 Jun

Andrew Haines, Chief Executive Network Rail

Feature

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

Composite image: Rishi Sunak on the campaign trail and Kier Starmer launching Labour's plan for rail

News

Leader comment: vote for rail's next chapter

Rail is about to enter a new era. What policies would get your vote?

Policy 12 Jun

News

Liberal Democrats pledge to freeze rail fares as it launches its manifesto

The Liberal Democrats will freeze rail fares and simplify the ticketing system if the party wins in the general election on July 4.

Policy 11 Jun

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak took the Sleeper on his visit to the GWR traction maintenance depot in Penzance on May 29, while on the campaign trail. ALAMY

News

Which party offers the best hope for the railway’s future?

Howard Johnston studies party statements and photo opportunities to assess what the next government might really do for rail

Policy 11 Jun

A Greater Anglia passenger train crosses over the M25 at Brentwood.

Comment

My manifesto for rail to thrive

Sir Michael Holden, chairman of the Editorial Board of RAIL’s business title RailReview, examines the records of the two parties and delivers his own manifesto

Policy 10 Jun

Transport Secretary Mark Harper 2024 ALAMY

Feature

The Rail Reform Bill: does it help or hinder?

With a general election soon, will February's Rail Reform Bill provide some clarity about the future? Conrad Landin reports

Policy 6 Jun

News

NIC criticises Government’s West Coast ‘do nothing’ policy

The economic prospects of Birmingham and Manchester are being seriously damaged because of the Government’s failure to come up with any plans to improve the West Coast Main Line, to replace the cancelled northern leg of HS2, writes Howard Johnston.

Infrastructure 22 May

Comment

Can Labour’s rail plan deliver a better railway?

On April 25, the Labour Party unveiled its plans for Britain’s railways if it forms the next government. Ben Jones analyses the chances of success

Industry views 8 May

Comment

Private sector involvement in Rail Reform Draft Bill

It will be interesting to see how far the current Rail Minister gets with his invitation to his shadow to work together to get the Draft Bill through Parliament before the election. The general consensus seems to be that timings remain challenging.

Policy 30 Apr

News

Labour launches plan for rail

Labour will today reveal its plan for rail as it heads towards the election, expected later this year. Shadow Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh will outline plans to pursue the creation of the Great British Railways (GBR) body which it intends to be led by “rail experts” rather than Whitehall.

Labour Party 25 Apr

Feature

Rail is to become a key election battleground

Mark Walker, chief executive at public affairs company Cogitamus reveals why rail will be pushed to the fore at Westminster, ahead of the General Election.

Policy 24 Jan

Policy - Page 4

Further details on rail reform emerge

Industry reacts to Labour's landslide election victory

Opinion: mind the gaps in Labour's plans for rail

European differences and similarities

Conservative and Labour: comparing the policies

Leader comment: Are we on track for real change?

Analysis: Rail reform the first big test for incoming ministers

What rail freight needs to survive and thrive

Comment: Labour plans old and new

Exclusive: Andrew Haines on GBR and the future of rail

Leader comment: vote for rail's next chapter

Liberal Democrats pledge to freeze rail fares as it launches its manifesto

Which party offers the best hope for the railway’s future?

My manifesto for rail to thrive

The Rail Reform Bill: does it help or hinder?

NIC criticises Government’s West Coast ‘do nothing’ policy

Can Labour’s rail plan deliver a better railway?

Private sector involvement in Rail Reform Draft Bill

Labour launches plan for rail

Rail is to become a key election battleground

Most read

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

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

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

Policy - Page 4

Further details on rail reform emerge

Industry reacts to Labour's landslide election victory

Opinion: mind the gaps in Labour's plans for rail

European differences and similarities

Conservative and Labour: comparing the policies

Leader comment: Are we on track for real change?

Analysis: Rail reform the first big test for incoming ministers

What rail freight needs to survive and thrive

Comment: Labour plans old and new

Exclusive: Andrew Haines on GBR and the future of rail

Leader comment: vote for rail's next chapter

Liberal Democrats pledge to freeze rail fares as it launches its manifesto

Which party offers the best hope for the railway’s future?

My manifesto for rail to thrive

The Rail Reform Bill: does it help or hinder?

NIC criticises Government’s West Coast ‘do nothing’ policy

Can Labour’s rail plan deliver a better railway?

Private sector involvement in Rail Reform Draft Bill

Labour launches plan for rail

Rail is to become a key election battleground

Most read

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

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

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

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

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

FirstGroup confirms Class 222s for Euston-Stirling Lumo route

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

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

Network Rail begins process to replace rail infrastructure monitoring trains