Thank you for contacting me about the Government's plan to return our railways to state control.
Like everyone in the UK, I would welcome reforms to the railways that enhance the customer experience and simplify processes. The key question is how we achieve this.
Since the re-privatisation of the railways, demand for rail travel in the UK more than doubled with a record 1.8 billion rail journeys undertaken in 2018/19 and back to almost that level since the effects of the pandemic have worked through.
However, the idea that state-controlled rail will resolve the issues facing the UK's rail system is an overly simplistic response to a complex problem. I am not against the idea of uniting track and train. It is why the Conservative Party has advocated for a concessionary model, like on Merseyrail or on the Elizabeth Line and Overground in London, that brings coherence to the system, as opposed to the Government's proposals that weaken scrutiny and reduce competition.
I am worried that the Government’s legislation for Great British Railways is not a coherent model at all; it is something altogether different, not focussed on achieving growth in passenger numbers that would reduce taxpayer subsidy. What we need is a Bill that would grow competition, bringing down prices for passengers, that would truly lead to the growth of freight, and would result in the growth of new routes to serve locations across the country. However, legislation will not achieve this. In fact, there are no targets in the Bill for passenger growth at all.
Also, the Bill actively works against open access, such as Lumo, Grand Central, or Hull Trains, which will be left wholly and deliberately vulnerable by reducing the regulatory powers of bodies such as the Office for Rail and Road. Furthermore, the proposed watchdog, which should be able to hold GBR to account, has exceptionally limited powers. None of these measures serve those who matter most, the passengers and taxpayers.
Ultimately, we need railways that deliver for passengers, taxpayers, freight and the future of the sector. Unfortunately, I believe the Government’s legislation would create a structure which serves the network it controls.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
