Plans to establish Great British Railways move a step closer

Plans to create a new Derby headquartered organisation that will manage the UK’s rail infrastructure and train operations have moved a step closer.

Recently, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh launched a shadow version of Great British Railways – the public body that will oversee Britain’s railways.

The establishment of Shadow Great British Railways (Shadow GBR) is intended to pave the way for the full establishment of Great British Railways (GBR), which will require legislative approval.

In March last year, following a nationwide competition, the Government named Derby as the new headquarters for GBR in recognition of its world-leading position in the sector.

Louise said: “Establishing Shadow Great British Railways marks a significant step towards delivering a unified railway with passengers at its heart by bringing together track and train.

“This government will direct every penny into creating a stronger, more reliable rail network that works for everyone.

“This is about making the railways work for the people that use them – putting passengers first and driving up performance.”

The idea behind GBR is to bring together responsibility for both track and train into a single organisation, to make the railway simpler to use, more efficient to run and better for the country as a whole.

Earlier this year, the Government published its draft Rail Reform Bill – the legislation needed to create GBR.

The draft bill is now being scrutinised by Parliamentarians and industry.

Derby beat off competition from locations around the country, including Birmingham, Newcastle and York, to be selected as the home of GBR.

It followed a concerted campaign by the city called Destination Derby, which was backed by the public, businesses and politicians, not just from Derby and Derbyshire, but across the region.

A spokesperson for the Great British Railways Transition Team said: “The plan to create Shadow Great British Railways (SGBR) is a welcome step. The Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) will use its ‘one-railway’ capability and tools to help SGBR and its drive for better collaboration across the rail sector.

“The Prime Minister has been clear that an enlarged GBR headquarters in Derby will be at the heart of a ‘rail renaissance’. GBRTT will take advantage of what Derby has to offer today by continuing to work from its office there together with SGBR partners, ultimately helping to play its part in delivering benefits to customers ahead of broader structural changes under Great British Railways.”

On the back of attracting GBR, the city is now looking to establish a new campus devoted to companies and organisations involved in the sector.

Derby City Council and East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward, together with the Great British Railways Transition Team, will share the vision for Rail Campus Derby at a special conference, which is due to take place in the city in October.

It will explore opportunities for railway businesses and organisations from across the country to co-locate businesses or key personnel alongside the new headquarters for Great British Railways at the proposed campus.

Speakers from leading national rail organisations and key regional stakeholders will be supporting the conference, including John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby.