Consultation outcome

A railway fit for Britain's future

From:
Department for Transport
Published
18 February 2025
Last updated
5 November 2025 — See all updates

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

This consultation has concluded

Detail of outcome

The government response outlines our final plans for the Railways Bill and also explains how the consultation feedback has shaped our plans.

See the government response and summary of responses on the Railways Bill consultation.

Original consultation

Summary

Seeking views on proposals to reform Great Britain’s railways.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

We are seeking views on new policies to be included in the forthcoming Railways Bill, which will enable the establishment of Great British Railways (GBR). GBR will be a single directing mind that will run our rail infrastructure and passenger services in the public interest.

The overall aim of these proposed reforms is to provide a railway that works better for both passengers and taxpayers across Great Britain. They also include: 

  • the establishment of a new passenger watchdog
  • reform of fares and online retail of tickets
  • a new statutory role for devolved leaders in governing, managing, planning and developing the rail network
  • streamlining processes and reducing regulatory burdens to empower GBR to to deliver the best service for railway users
  • ensuring the private sector continues to play a key role, including a statutory duty for GBR to promote rail freight

View this consultation in Welsh.

Documents

A railway fit for Britain's future

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-5297-1, E03249058, CP 1269

HTML

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A railway fit for Britain's future (web accessible)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-5297-1, E03249058

PDF, 798 KB, 52 pages

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A railway fit for Britain's future (print version)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-5297-1, E03249058, CP 1269

PDF, 2.1 MB, 56 pages

Order a copy

A railway fit for Britain's future (large print)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-5297-1, E03249058

PDF, 1.21 MB, 104 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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A railway fit for Britain's future (easy read version)

PDF, 5.2 MB, 46 pages

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email webmasterdft@dft.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Updates to this page

Published 18 February 2025
Last updated 5 November 2025 show all updates

  1. The Department for Transport's response to the consultation on the Railways Bill added.

  2. First published.

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