Rail passengers across Wales and the English Borders are set to benefit from faster, more responsive, and more locally informed rail decisions after the UK Government and Welsh Ministers published a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) defining joint working arrangements under Great British Railways (GBR).
The agreement—signed by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates—marks a major milestone in ongoing GB rail reform and sets out how both governments will coordinate to deliver a more integrated, passenger‑centred railway.
The MoU places renewed emphasis on clear responsibilities, shared priorities, and joint governance, ensuring that decisions affecting rail users in Wales and the English-Welsh Borders can be made faster and with stronger local insight.
A More Unified, Passenger‑First System
Under the agreement, GBR and Transport for Wales (TfW) will jointly plan passenger services, promising improvements such as:
- More reliable cross‑border timetables and connections
- Clearer bilingual travel information
- Better links between rail, bus and active travel
- Faster resolution of local service issues through closer UK–Welsh collaboration
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:
“Under Great British Railways, the Welsh Government will have a new, strengthened role and a bigger say in how the railway is run for local communities to improve connectivity.
“At its heart, this agreement is about improving passenger experience by aligning how both governments plan and manage rail services, including cross border travel.”
Preparing for GBR in 2027
The MoU supports the wider transition toward GBR’s full establishment in 2027, when the new organisation will bring together responsibility for both track and train—replacing decades of fragmentation with a single guiding mind.
GBR aims to prioritise value for money, performance, and consistent customer experience, while supporting long‑term investment in the rail network.
Key benefits highlighted for Wales and the Borders include:
- Shared decision‑making driven by what local passengers value most
- Integrated planning of services and infrastructure
- Bilingual passenger information commitments
- Localised input to improve problem‑solving and service delivery
- Better connections between modes, including buses and active travel
A Shared Commitment to Modernising Welsh Rail
Cabinet Secretary Ken Skates welcomed the strengthened partnership, saying:
“This agreement outlines the strong partnership between our two governments to deliver for the people of Wales.
“We have already seen the joint commitment to a generational investment in our railways and this agreement ensures even closer working as we deliver improved rail services for passengers.”
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens added:
“This agreement between the UK and Welsh Governments means that decisions about transforming rail in Wales will put the needs of local communities front and centre.
“It is backed by a generational UK Government commitment to modernise Welsh rail, starting with building seven new stations using the £445 million announced at the Spending Review.
“We want to better connect people with the well-paid jobs we are creating across the country and drive economic growth."
The MoU aligns with the UK Government’s existing pledge of at least £445 million for modernisation projects in Wales, including new stations, level‑crossing upgrades, and line enhancements. Together, the governments expect these reforms to improve service frequency, reliability, and connectivity—while supporting 12,000 jobs across Wales.
Image credits: iStock
