What we do

Our railways play a fundamental role in supporting the economic, environmental and social achievements of the country.

Recognising this, the Plan for Rail recommended the development of a 30-year strategy to determine how best the railways can support Britain in the future. This long term strategy for rail will be a landmark resource, enabling a clear and agreed direction for the railway.

The Great British Railways Transition Team is developing a range of rail freight growth target options. As part of this work, the team engaged with industry through a formal call for evidence.

The purpose of this call for evidence was to develop an understanding of how much of the current and future market demand for freight could be met by rail, and the role rail can play in the nation’s supply chains.

In May 2022, the Government announced proposed legislation “to modernise rail services and improve reliability for passengers”.

In response to this announcement, the Great British Railways Transition Team is looking at changes to support the development of the new industry structure, and considering ways in which the current system can be simplified and improved.

The National Rail Accessibility Group provides independent advice, guidance and constructive and considered challenge about whether and how the interests of disabled people and those with additional needs have been taken into account in the National Rail Accessibility Strategy development.

In delivering its objective. the group considers the interests of all disabled people and where appropriate other protected characteristics.

In October 2021, the Secretary of State for Transport announced a competition to find a location outside of London for the headquarters of Great British Railways.

In March 2023, Derby was announced as the winning location. The Great British Railways HQ will be the anchor of a new rail campus across the city, building on this existing centre of railway excellence.

GBRTT is structured around nine workstreams, covering all aspects of rail reform, so together, we can create a simpler, better railway for everyone in Britain.

We are working to create a new organisation that will bring together decisions about track and train, provide accountable leadership, and lead the railway forward. We are also delivering improvements to benefit the railway’s customers now.