The rail industry has been reacting to the State Opening of Parliament yesterday, during which the King confirmed that the new Labour Government will proceed with the renationalisation of the railway.
The King’s Speech outlined 39 new bills, three of which specifically apply to the rail industry. Besides the renationalisation of rail services, the Government will also immediately seek to improve rail infrastructure in the North and the simplification of the rail network.
Organisations from across the industry have been generally positive, although not universally so, in their response to the first King’s Speech under a Labour Government since October 1950.
Railway Industry Association (RIA) Chief Executive Darren Caplan said: “The Railway Industry Association welcomes today’s King’s Speech as a strong legislative programme for driving growth by building sustainable infrastructure and improving transport.
“RIA and our members support the Government’s pledge to establish a reformed and unified railway system under Great British Railways focused on improving affordability, reliability and performance. A new body with strategic oversight and responsibility for rail can focus on meeting growing passenger demand and boosting industry revenues.
Meanwhile, TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust welcomed the potential benefits for both passengers and transport workers: “Great British Railways will be able to deliver the joined up thinking on fares and timetabling for which rail users have been crying out.
“For rail passengers, at long last, there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
Mott MacDonald’s Rail Principal Account Leader, Suzanne Mathieson, was similarly impressed: “I welcome the commitments made to reform the planning system to accelerate investment in high quality infrastructure and look forward to the opportunities this will bring in combination with the formal transition of Network Rail into Great British Railways. The plans for GBR promise to lead to the delivery of a more efficient, safer, more sustainable railway for all.”
However, Rail Partners Chief Executive Andy Bagnall had a more cautious view: “The commitment to reform in today’s King’s Speech is an important milestone. However, getting the detail right below the headline is critical to achieving the government’s ambitions for green growth and reducing the railway’s financial burden on the taxpayer.
“To change the railway for the better, we must correctly understand the causes of the current challenges to get the right solutions – and full nationalisation is a political not a practical solution, which will increase costs over time.”
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