The Urban Transport Group has today welcomed the Railways Bill, as the Second Reading of the legislation takes places in the House of Commons today.

The Bill, which was introduced into Parliament last month, will create Great British Railways (GBR) and give England’s mayors a new role and a bigger say in how the railway is run in their areas to improve local connectivity.

Jason Prince, Director of the Urban Transport Group, said:

“The Railways Bill is a landmark piece of legislation – one which will give Mayoral Strategic Authorities a new, formal statutory role in how rail is run locally to meet the needs of local people.

“We have been working closely with Shadow GBR on the development of a forthcoming practitioner guide to support effective partnership working between these authorities and the railway’s new guiding mind.

“We will continue to collaborate with Government to help them to deliver their ambition of a railway that puts passengers first.”