
Key information
Publication type: General
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Contents
The Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail is the Government’s blueprint for how it intends to reform the UK’s rail industry. The Plan claims to propose the biggest change to the railways in 25 years, with the aim of bringing the network under a single national leadership of a new public body, Great British Railways. This new body will absorb Network Rail, the current infrastructure owner, along with other functions from the Rail Delivery Group and Department for Transport (DfT).
The Transport Committee held an investigation into the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail and the impact it will have on Londoners last year, across two Committee meetings. The evidence received by the Committee has led to the following recommendations for the DfT to consider as part of the Rail Transformation Programme, as it works towards achieving the aims of the Plan for Rail.
The recommendations include:
- The devolution of rail services to London and the need for London Overground to remain under the control of TfL in the new structure for the railway. [1]
- The Rail Transformation Programme needs to examine further evidence on the root causes of a lack of trust from passengers with the current rail system, particularly with regards to ticketing and fares.
- The need for passenger and freight services to be developed in tandem to maximise services on both sides of the rail industry.
- Understanding the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on passenger levels and travel needs.
- The need for robust consultation with passengers and railway staff ahead of any changes to the railway industry.
1. The GLA Conservatives do not agree with Recommendations 1 and 2. See further information on their minority view at Appendix 1 in the report.
Related documents
Williams-Shapps Response