Railways Bill

Key Points

• Creates Great British Railways (GBR) to own rail infrastructure, run passenger services, set fares, and drive innovation, with five-year funding cycles and oversight by the ORR.
• Introduces passenger governance bodies (Passengers’ Council and London Transport Users’ Committee) and a framework for non‑GBR infrastructure, open access, access and charging policies, and dispute resolution.
• Seeks closer devolution prospects for Mayoral Combined Authorities with formal MoUs, asset transfer powers, and place-based planning aligned to local transport strategies (Bee Network).
• Freight policy features a GBR-led framework with a freight growth target and proposed protections for freight terminals and non‑GBR freight operators, raising concerns about balance with passenger services and the need for independent oversight.
• Amendments mainly from Conservative MPs aimed to strengthen competition, cap or defend affordability, require more scrutiny of GBR’s plans, protect open access and freight interests, and narrow powers (notably Clause 72 and related provisions); these were defeated in committee, with the government’s preferred approach maintained.

Progress

The bill is at Report Stage in the Commons after a period of detailed committee scrutiny. A large package of Conservative amendments (40 in total) proposed a wide range of protections for competition, fares, open access, devolution, and non‑GBR infrastructure, but all were defeated (NegativedOnDivision). The bill was reintroduced in May 2026 and is progressing toward further readings and Lords consideration.