London/Brussels, 20 May 2025

As the United Kingdom and the European Union met yesterday in London for a high-profile summit to reset their relationship, one sector stands out where closer alignment would bring immediate, tangible benefits: Rail.

Railways are not just symbolic – they are the only physical link between the United Kingdom and mainland Europe, via the Channel Tunnel.

To bring the UK into the Single European Railway Area (‘SERA’) would embrace a forward-looking, practical partnership that delivers for citizens, businesses, and the climate.

The United Kingdom’s Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told the BBC that the UK government wants people “to see and feel immediate benefits”.

European rail policy, far from being rigid or bureaucratic, has become a powerful engine for innovation and customer-focused growth, as demonstrated in a report publised in September 2024. 

If the UK were part of the SERA framework, many of the demands voiced by UK stakeholders – ecological transition, better services for young people, and enhanced regional connectivity – would be enshrined. 

ALLRAIL Secretary General Nick Brooks says: “Parts of the new EU-UK trade deal are still subject to negotiation. We are sure that the Single European Railway Area would “pave the way for smoother trade and travel”. Let Rail be at the forefront of this new EU-UK cooperation.”