The Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward has welcomed a new Government Bill which puts Derby at the heart of the nation’s railway network.
The Railways Bill, presented to parliament by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander yesterday, will create Great British Railways (GBR), a new publicly owned company, headquartered in Derby, which will bring together the management of passenger services and rail infrastructure.
The creation of GBR will bring jobs and an economic boost to the region, as well as putting Derby at the centre of UK rail innovation. It will also include the creation of a new app where passengers can check train times and book tickets.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “This is a truly exciting moment for Derby and the East Midlands. The creation of Great British Railways here in one of our cities builds on Derby’s proud history as one of the cornerstones of Britain’s rail industry and reinforces its position as the heart of our national network.
"Derby has been driving rail innovation for decades - including hosting The Greatest Gathering, part of the Railway 200 celebrations, earlier this year - and now it will lead in the next chapter of reform and renewal.”
The Railways Bill will also establish a strengthened passenger watchdog, which will be a powerful new voice to investigate poor service and advocate for improvements.
The Rt Hon Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, said: “Britain deserves a railway that is fit for the future – one that rebuilds the trust of its passengers, regenerates its communities and restores reliability and value for money.
“The introduction of this legislation is a major step towards a rail network that supports Britain’s businesses and delivers for the travelling public – paving the way for economic growth and access to opportunity across the country.”
Mayor Claire said: “The Railways Bill represents an investment in our communities, our economy and our future. By simplifying the currently outdated rail system and putting passengers first, Great British Railways will help create new jobs and boost local growth right here in the East Midlands and deliver a rail network that truly works for everyone.”
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