Rail Forum broadly welcomes the publication of government’s consultation document ‘A railway fit for Britain’s future’ which signals the next phase for the rail reform agenda. In addition to outlining the role that Great British Railways (GBR) will have as a directing mind, the document proposes significant legislative changes around, for example, access arrangements and the role of ORR. It also raises a number of questions around GBR’s lines of accountability and the powers that will be granted to Mayoral Authorities. In our view the failure to recognise the importance of the rail supply chain and how GBR will work with it is an omission.
Elaine Clark OBE, CEO at Rail Forum said: “We are now developing a plan of activity to ensure we engage with all the relevant stakeholders and our members to clarify and challenge some of the underlying intent of the proposals. This will then allow us to provide a full and meaningful formal response to the consultation.”