'This landmark Bill means Britain will finally have a railway owned by the public, for the public'

MINISTER PROMISES END OF SERVICE THAT WAS ‘BESET BY YEARS OF DYSFUNCTION’

- By RHIANNON JAMES

GREAT British Railways (GBR) will be laser-focused on building a system passengers can rely on and “be proud of” the Transport Secretary said as she set out the next steps to nationalisation.

Heidi Alexander said the UK’s railways are “in desperate need of renewal’, with the current trend of cancelled services and cramped carriages.

The Railways Bill forms part of the Government's plan to bring train services under public ownership, as set out in its manifesto.

Building on the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024, the legislation will enable the creation of the new publicly owned body Great British Railways.

GBR, which is set to be based in Derby, will be responsible for railway infrastructure, including tracks, bridges, tunnels and stations.

Its branding, which is inspired by the Union flag with its red, white and blue theme, was unveiled on Tuesday.

The Tories have claimed ideology is at the “core” of the legislation and accused the Secretary of State of attempting to “paint over the cracks of a rusting hulk of a Bill”.