Morning, Friday, 24th October 2025
Online
This conference will consider next steps for Britain’s rail network.
It will bring together key stakeholders and policymakers to discuss the Railways Bill and the creation of Great British Railways, looking at practical implications of delivering a simpler, more accountable system.
Sessions in the agenda will assess options for defining responsibilities between the public and private sectors, and how the transition can best support innovation, stability, and service improvement.
Delegates will also examine the proposed new independent passenger body, with discussion on what expanded public sector involvement in services could mean for accountability, funding, and quality.
Further discussion will focus on long-term delivery and investment, including coordination planning and prioritisation with wider infrastructure policy, such as the 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy, and with the work of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority. Those attending will also look at the delivery of national projects such as HS2 and how to address project delays and rising costs following Government’s recent announcement that the project will be further delayed beyond its target date of 2033.
Delegates will assess the impact of recent changes to environmental and planning requirements, and how national and regional authorities can be supported to deliver upgrades in the context of funding constraints and local ambitions.
The agenda will also bring out latest thinking on how rail can contribute to wider goals around decarbonisation, levelling up, and economic growth, with consideration on what is needed to ensure the sector has a workforce equipped to meet future needs. Attendees will consider approaches to recruitment, retention, and training, and how the sector can address diversity gaps and build long-term capacity.
With the agenda currently in the drafting stage, overall areas for discussion include:
- future structure and responsibilities of GBR: options for defining the role and remit of GBR - implications for public service delivery and private sector access
- role of the new passenger watchdog:
- priorities for transparency, accountability, and redress
- fair representation for passengers across regions, journey types, and service levels - potential for greater involvement in shaping timetables and service standards
- direction of regulatory reform: potential impact of changes to the ORR - confidence in independent oversight and market integrity
- delivery capacity for national priorities:
- management of timelines, resources, and supplier readiness across multiple infrastructure programmes
- visibility and consistency in project planning - cross-border management
- access to funding for local and regional authorities: recent investment and implication for capacity to plan and deliver improvements - strategies and frameworks for joined-up support
- planning and environmental requirements: implications of new consent processes and environmental obligations - practical considerations for developers and transport authorities
- supporting a sustainable and diverse workforce: modernising sector recruitment - strategies to address workforce planning, retention, and inclusion
- rail investment and wider goals: supporting housing, decarbonisation, and economic development - coordination with national infrastructure planning
