By Julian Worth

Overall, CILT (UK) welcomes the Railways Bill.

While substantial detailed work is still needed on how Great British Railways (GBR) will be structured to deliver its objectives, we believe that for most passenger services the Bill provides a foundation for a more integrated, coherent railway.

Reintegration of track and train should bring meaningful benefits - provided that leadership and accountability are clearly defined. Government must set transparent targets and objectives and then hold professionals to account for delivering them.

A critical concern is that GBR will oversee only around 70% of services.

The remaining 30% - including all freight operations and passenger services run by devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, and major city regions such as London - will sit outside its direct control.........

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