Transport East welcomes the laying of the Railways Bill through Parliament
Andrew Summers has responded to the laying of the Government’s Railways Bill:
“Transport East welcomes the laying of the Railways Bill through Parliament. This marks the start of legislative process to establish Great British Railways (GBR).
“Transport East contributed to the consultation with written evidence and supports this landmark reform to create a simpler and more accountable railway system to better serve passengers across the region.
“The aim of GBR is to bring track and train together under a single body. It will have a duty to grow rail freight as well as establish a new Passenger Watchdog to meet the needs of passengers, ensuring that the future railway is responsive, inclusive, and customer-focused.
“In the East, we have already seen public ownership begin to take shape, with c2c and Greater Anglia successfully transitioning to public operation earlier this year. These changes come at a pivotal time for our region, as devolution proposals will soon deliver two new Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs) – Norfolk and Suffolk, and Greater Essex. The creation of these new MSAs provides a unique opportunity to strengthen the link between local priorities and national rail ambitions.
“The Railways Bill also enables statutory roles for MSAs, ensuring that local voices play a stronger part in shaping rail services and investment decisions.
“Rail is fundamental to achieving our shared vision for a thriving East. The network connects people to jobs, education, and other vital services in a sustainable way, supporting both economic growth and life opportunities. As these major changes to the rail industry emerge, Transport East will continue to work closely with government, Network Rail, Great British Rail, and operators to ensure that the voice of the East is heard and that our region’s rail network continues to deliver the high-quality service it provides today.”