A rail group has spoken of its fears that plans to restructure Britain’s rail operations could be scrapped.
The Rail Forum, a national industry body based in Derby, said it feared government plans to overhaul the system with a new body called Great British Railways (GBR) might not go ahead.
Former Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced plans for GBR in May 2021 to replace a “fragmented” system.
The government said it remains committed to the reforms.
Speaking at the Forum’s annual conference, David Brookes, Chairman of the Rail Forum Midlands, said: “I’m not sure the whole GBR thing is going to go ahead at all.
“Hopefully it will be because we need a change in the industry.
“I hope it’s not dead. But… it’s not 100% there at the moment.”
Derby was one of six cities shortlisted to host the new body, which would oversee rail infrastructure, ticket prices and timetables.
Along with Birmingham, Crewe, Doncaster, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and York, it went to a public vote with a final decision on headquarters to be made later this year.
Mr Brookes, who supports Derby’s bid, stressed the importance of the plans moving forward.
“There has to be a change, that’s for sure,” he said.
“If we get the investment, we will see a better railroad. I am 100% convinced of that. [If] If we get that commitment, we can deliver.”
Will Rodgers, chief executive of East Midlands Railway and chairman of the Rail Forum, said: “I haven’t heard anything concrete on the status of the GBR bid…but I know GBR is important for the future.
“As we look ahead I think reform is still very much on the agenda and GBR is an important part of that reform.
“I don’t think it’s dead, I’m just not sure when that announcement came [is going to come].”
Rail Secretary Kevin Foster said: “There is a new government; we will take stock, particularly in relation to the legislative agenda.
“I think we see ourselves in the not too distant future and perhaps the Secretary of State will lay out a bit more detail on where we see the vision.
“But we’re also starting to see now… what demand will be like, particularly on the passenger side going forward.”
“[Some lines] are back to their pre-pandemic use; others are much, much lower than that.
“It must inform some of our thoughts about the future.”
The Department for Transport (DfT) said Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan had made clear the government’s commitment to modernizing rail transport.
“We continue to work with the sector to address the challenges that the railroad continues to face as it recovers from the pandemic,” a spokesman said.
“We remain committed to reforming our railways, improving passenger journeys and creating a better, more modern railway industry in the UK.”
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