The Labour Party has set out its vision for the UK’s rail network, with the Party’s manifesto outlining plans for a modern transport network.
Keir Starmer’s Party has named the improvement of rail connections across the north of England as a regional development priority, and will create a new National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority to oversee the delivery of projects.
The Authority will bring together existing bodies to set strategic infrastructure priorities, as a solution to the Party’s claim that the current planning regime acts as a brake on economic growth.
Meanwhile, Labour will overhaul Britain’s railways by bringing them into public ownership. This will happen as contracts expire or are broken through a failure to deliver.
The Party’s manifesto also details the role of Great British Railways: “Great British Railways will deliver a unified system that focuses on reliable, affordable, high-quality, and efficient services; along with ensuring safety and accessibility.
“It will be responsible for investment, day-to-day operational delivery and innovations and improvements for passengers, working with publicly-owned rail operators in Wales and Scotland.”
Labour says that mayors will have an active role in the planning and designing of services in their areas.
The manifesto briefly refers to the rail freight industry, stating that there will be a duty to promote and grow the use of rail freight.
The Party will also introduce a new passenger watchdog.
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