Great British Railways: new dawn for a new network but with plenty of old problems to fix

Great British Railways (GBR), a new public body intended to oversee both track and train services, could be established in law before Parliament’s winter break. The reform aims to create clearer accountability and reduce disputes between train operators and Network Rail, but the network faces major maintenance and reliability problems as it moves towards the new system.

Great Western Railway is due to enter public ownership in December, with East Midlands Railway, Avanti and CrossCountry expected to follow next year. Rail leaders have highlighted ageing trains, derailments, delays and shortages of drivers; extreme weather is also expected to put the network under strain in 2027. GBR’s headquarters will be in Derby, with much of its work expected to be handled by regional managers, though its leadership structure and the effects of the transition on staff remain uncertain.