Railways: Nationalisation
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has agreements, memoranda of understanding, or governance frameworks setting out the role of regional transport authorities in decisions relating to rail service levels, fleet allocation, or rolling stock transfers under public ownership; and whether her Department has plans to standardise arrangements across combined authorities as part of the establishment of Great British Railways.
Answered by Keir Mather
There are no generic agreements, memoranda of understanding, or governance frameworks covering the subject set out in the question, although individual rail devolution agreements that existed prior to public ownership (such as with West Midlands Rail Executive) have continued for the time being.
Great British Railways (GBR) will agree partnerships with Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs) to enable closer joint working on rail and wider transport priorities, giving Mayors genuine influence over outcomes while maintaining national integration.
The GBR Mayoral Partnership Framework, included in the Railways Bill consultation in February 2025, offers a range of options for MSAs to exercise their statutory roles, in partnership with GBR. This includes new statutory roles proposed by the Railways Bill.
The detail of specific partnerships will vary and will ultimately be for GBR to agree with respective MSAs. This will ensure that they can meet the differing ambitions of mayors for the local rail network in their areas.
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