The UK and Scottish Governments have jointly published the foundations for a new agreement setting out how they will work together to exercise their respective rail powers once Great British Railways is established. The framework marks a significant step forward in delivering sweeping rail reforms across Great Britain.
The document outlines how the Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, and Scottish ministers intend to collaborate on planning, governance and decision‑making after GBR comes into operation. Both governments say the framework demonstrates a shared commitment to creating a simplified, passenger‑focused railway for Scotland.
Crucially, devolved responsibilities will remain fully protected. Scottish ministers will continue to control:
- Funding for Scottish rail infrastructure
- Specification and provision of Scottish‑designated passenger services
- Strategic direction tailored to local communities
The framework confirms that rail reform will respect existing decision‑making powers while improving system‑wide coordination.
The agreement aims to strengthen the integration of track and train in Scotland, ensuring the country benefits from the same reforms being delivered across the rest of Great Britain.
By encouraging GBR and Transport Scotland to plan the network more closely together, the framework promises:
- More reliable, punctual services
- Smoother connections
- Faster, clearer updates when journeys change
- A railway is easier for passengers to navigate
Officials say the arrangement will ensure improvements are shaped around what matters most to communities.
The framework acts as the first step towards a detailed Memorandum of Understanding, to be formally agreed upon by both governments. Once signed, the MoU will be a central pillar of rail reforms under the Railways Bill, which establishes GBR as the new guiding body for Britain’s railways.
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.”
GBR will run and manage tracks and trains, replacing years of fragmentation and prioritising value for money, sustainability and performance.
Alongside the publication of the framework with Scotland, the UK Government has also confirmed a new MoU with Welsh ministers, outlining how both governments will work together under GBR to improve services in Wales and the English‑Welsh border region.
The agreement, signed by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates, is another key milestone in delivering a simpler, better‑integrated railway.
Passengers in Wales and border communities can expect:
- Clearer priorities set jointly by UK and Welsh ministers
- More reliable timetables and smoother connections
- Stronger bilingual passenger information
- Faster resolution of local issues
- Better coordination between rail, bus and active travel
Transport for Wales and GBR will work together to plan services, delivering more seamless journeys and improved day‑to‑day performance.
The MoU reinforces the UK Government’s ongoing commitment to modernising Welsh rail, backed by at least £445 million for enhancements across north and south Wales, including:
- New stations
- Level crossing upgrades
- Improvements to key rail corridors
On the Wales agreement, the Transport Secretary added:
“Under Great British Railways, the Welsh Government will have a new, strengthened role and a bigger say in how the railway is run for local communities to improve connectivity.
“At its heart, this agreement is about improving passenger experience by aligning how both governments plan and manage rail services, including cross‑border travel.”
Together, both governments say the agreement will support more frequent and dependable services, while underpinning 12,000 jobs across Wales.
Both MoUs represent a significant advance in the delivery of rail reforms across Great Britain. With GBR due to be established in 2027, the agreements lay the groundwork for a more integrated, more accountable railway that puts passengers and freight customers at the heart of every decision.
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