The UK and Scottish Governments have published foundations for a new agreement setting out plans on how they will work together to exercise rail functions following the establishment of Great British Railways (GBR).
Agreed upon between Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and Scottish ministers; the memorandum of understanding (MoU) marks a milestone in the delivery of the UK governments rail reform project.
The agreement sets out plans on how both governments will work together to exercise rail functions following the establishment of GBR
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Reflecting a wider commitment to a simplified and more closely integrated railway for Scotland, the framework will aim to ensure Scottish ministers retain their current control over funding for Scottish rail infrastructure, as well as their responsibility for the specification and provision of Scottish‑designated passenger services.
The framework also aims to provide a clear statement that rail reform will respect existing decision-making powers, whilst also looking to improve system-wide coordination.
Both governments will work together, as well as with GBR, to deliver a more integrated, passenger-focused railway, with defined responsibilities and governance.
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:
Under the Railways Bill and following the introduction of Great British Railways, the Scottish Government will have a new, strengthened role and a bigger say in how the railway is run to improve local connectivity.
At its heart, this framework is about improving outcomes for passengers and communities. By placing decision making at the heart of rail in Scotland we will ensure services and investment are better tailored to Scottish passenger and freight customer priorities.
Key benefits resulting from the framework for Scotland include the strengthening of the integration of track and train in Scotland, which will ensure the country reaps the same benefits from rail reform and the creation of GBR as in the rest of Great Britain; Scottish ministers’ retention of responsibility for setting the strategy, specifying and funding the infrastructure and provision of passenger services in Scotland; the setting of a direction of travel for a future MoU, which will be agreed by both the UK and Scottish Government.
On the same day; the UK & Welsh Governments also announced a similar framework that sets out out new ways of working under Great British Railways.