Delivering Growth and Fiscal Discipline through Rail Reform

The UK is in a fiscal squeeze – ministers repeat it daily. Yet the new Railways Bill proposes to create the most centralised rail body in Europe, folding infrastructure, operations, access rights and even ticket retail into a single state entity.

Meanwhile, the rest of Europe is going the opposite direction, promoting efficiency by opening rail markets, attracting private capital and strengthening independent oversight.

The new Railways Bill could deliver growth and better services – but only if Great British Railways (GBR) is designed as an open, investment-friendly framework – rather than a closed system. 

ALLRAIL’s new Briefing Note gives a detailed response on how to make that happen: transparent decision-making, room for open access, and a genuine partnership with the private sector.