Policy paper

Journey to Great British Railways: policy publication timetable

Published 9 June 2026

Overview

The Railways Bill, currently going through Parliament, will bring together more than 17 different organisations – including Network Rail and operators – under Great British Railways (GBR), a new public company. GBR will integrate track and train operators, reducing fragmentation and improving reliability for passengers and customers, while delivering better value for taxpayers.

Since the Public Ownership Act was passed in 2024 as part of wider rail reform, most passenger services have returned to public ownership. Reforms will simplify the industry, securing over £1 billion in savings and efficiencies by the end of the decade.

Policy publication timetable

The policy publication timetable in table 1 sets out the key policy documents and public consultations required for GBR to be operational in 2027.

We have set out target publication periods for each document and will update the timetable accordingly as we move forward. Links will be added as the documents are published.

Table 1: policy publication timetable

Document	Document description	Target publication period
GBR licence policy document Published by: DfT	This sets out the design of the new accountability framework for GBR. It includes a draft outline of the new integrated GBR licence which is a critical part of that framework, ahead of public consultation on the licence later this year. In the new system, GBR will be required to fulfil the conditions of the licence, and the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) will enforce against the licence.	Published May 2026
2040 Rail Freight Growth Targets Published by: DfT	Announcement of more detailed rail freight growth targets for 2040, as a milestone towards the overall target of at least 75% rail freight growth by 2050.	Summer 2026
Long-term rail strategy discussion paper Published by: DfT	This sets out the government’s current plans for the long-term rail strategy (LTRS), including its anticipated scope and structure, ahead of the final LTRS being published in 2027. The LTRS will provide the overarching direction for the railways set by the Secretary of State and delivered by GBR. It will provide clarity and confidence to the wider sector on how the railways will be run.	Summer 2026
Summary of memorandum of understanding between the Passenger Watchdog and the ORR Published by: Transport Focus/ORR	This will summarise what the government expects to be included in the memorandum of understanding. The final version will be formally published later this year and will outline how the Passenger Watchdog and the ORR will work together, and the process they will follow when concerns are escalated for enforcement action.	Summer 2026
Rolling stock and infrastructure strategy Published by: Network Rail/DFTO	The rolling stock and infrastructure strategy will set out how the railway will align rolling stock, infrastructure and traction decisions over time, supporting disciplined sequencing, improved value for money and providing a more stable investment pipeline.	Summer 2026
GBR implementation timing Published by: DfT/Network Rail/DFTO	This will outline the high-level path to establishing GBR. It will detail the implementation stages and target timings needed to ensure GBR can be stood up at pace following Royal Assent of the Railways Bill.	Autumn 2026
Retail code of practice consultation Published by: ORR	A consultation on the future rail retail market code of practice. The code of practice will set the rules which GBR has to follow to ensure a fair an open retail market.	Autumn 2026
Draft access and use policy (AUP) consultation Published by: Network Rail	This will consult on the framework GBR must follow when deciding which operators are given access to, and use of, its network. This will include key safeguards to ensure GBR does not unfairly prioritise its own services and that it fairly considers freight and open access operators too.	Autumn 2026
Draft GBR licence consultation Published by: DfT	A consultation on GBR’s proposed licence, building on what was previously shared in the licence policy document. It will outline the proposed conditions GBR must meet as part of its operation and the role of the ORR in enforcing these.	Autumn 2026
ORR appeals procedure consultation Published by: ORR	A consultation on the proposed principles and operation of ORR’s new function as an appeals body for access and charging decisions. It will build on the published discussion paper and set out the proposed process for freight and open access operators wishing to appeal a charging or access decision made by GBR.	Spring 2027
Retail code of practice Published by: ORR	This will detail the rules that GBR must follow to ensure a fair and open retail market. These will form part of GBR’s licence and be enforced by the ORR.	Spring 2027
Charging and performance framework consultation Published by: Network Rail	A consultation on GBR’s proposed policies regarding charging and performance of operators on its network. It will cover track access charges as well as performance schemes for planned and unplanned disruption.	Spring 2027
Access and use policy (AUP) final document Published by: GBR	This will set out how GBR will manage access to, and use of, the network. This will include key safeguards to ensure GBR does not unfairly prioritise its own services and that it fairly considers freight and open access operators too.	Spring 2027
Long-term rail strategy Published by: DfT	To be published by the Secretary of State, setting out the long-term vision for the railway. It will provide the strategic objectives guiding both GBR and government decision-making, outlining the long-term outcomes the railway is expected to deliver over a 30-year period. It will be the first strategy of its kind and ensure the entire sector has greater certainty and clarity about the long-term direction of travel for the railway.	Autumn 2027