The Urban Transport Group is today welcoming the introduction of the Railways Bill into Parliament - the legislation that will create Great British Railways (GBR).

The Railways Bill will give England’s mayors a new role and a bigger say in how the railway is run in their areas to improve local connectivity.

The Urban Transport Group, the UK’s network of transport authorities, has previously called for a statutory role for devolved leaders in governing, managing, planning and developing the rail network, including in its report from earlier this year – ‘The pathway to a brighter transport future: Harnessing the opportunity of our local railways.’

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

“The Railways Bill offers a once in a generation opportunity to redefine, reshape and reimagine what the railway does for people and places.

“We welcome the opportunity it presents, through a new statutory role for Mayors, to bring decision making on rail as close as possible to the communities the railways serve.”