Transport Committee holds a session on draft Rail Reform Bill with devolved transport leaders
The Government’s draft Bill, published in February, proposes legislation needed to deliver reforms included in the Government’s Plan for Rail. This includes giving an Integrated Rail Body (IRB) – to be known as Great British Railways – new legal powers to manage and oversee the country’s rail infrastructure and franchising of services to train operating companies.
Meeting details
In this session, the cross-party Committee questions Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for Transport at The Welsh Government. In a second panel comprising sub-national transport bodies, MPs will quiz Martin Tugwell; Chief Executive at Transport for the North; Maria Machancoses, Chief Executive at Midlands Connect; and Andrew Summers, Chief Executive at Transport East.
Mr Skates will be asked for the Welsh Government’s reaction to the draft Bill, and whether the proposal to delegate authority to run the railways to the IRB is compatible with the Welsh Government’s devolved powers.
The second panel of witnesses will be questioned on how the IRB will work at a regional level with sub-national transport bodies; their view that they should have a role in shaping the IRB’s business plans; and whether the proposals place too much emphasis on the IRB promoting private sector involvement.
More information about this session is available here.