Committee publication · Correspondence · 15 April 2026
Letter from the Secretary of State for Transport relating to Great British Railways and Memorandum of Understanding with Welsh Ministers, dated 26 March 2026
From: Transport Committee
Summary
The Secretary of State for Transport informs the Transport Committee Chair that a signed Memorandum of Understanding with Welsh Ministers on railway delivery through Great British Railways has been published (26 March 2026), alongside a Framework for an MoU with Scottish Ministers. The MoU reflects devolved responsibilities and commits both governments to shared objectives for Wales and Borders rail, joint governance, and integrated planning.
Key findings
- A finalised MoU with Welsh Ministers has been signed and published, enabling Transport for Wales and Network Rail to prepare for future partnering with GBR
- The MoU establishes shared objectives for the Wales and Borders area and commits both governments to transparent roles, responsibilities, and governance frameworks
- A Framework for the Scottish MoU has been published rather than a finalised agreement, pending clarity on Scotland's future railway organisational structure (integrated or separate infrastructure and train operations)
- The finalised Scottish MoU is expected around Royal Assent, following ongoing DfT and Transport Scotland collaboration on industry design work
- Publication fulfils a Railways Bill requirement and responds to the Transport Committee's request for documents to accompany the Bill's passage
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Heidi Alexander (Secretary of State for Transport), Ruth Cadbury MP (Transport Select Committee Chair), Welsh Ministers, Scottish Ministers, Transport for Wales, Network Rail, Department for Transport, Transport Scotland
Notable line
“The MoU sets out a commitment that the Secretary of State for Transport and Welsh Ministers will set shared objectives for the Wales and Borders area.”
Key Quotes
“I am writing to inform you that yesterday I published a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Welsh Ministers, addressing the delivery of the railway in Wales through Great British Railways (GBR) and during the transition towards GBR.”
“The difference in substance of the Memoranda reflects the different devolution settlements for rail of the Scottish and Welsh Governments.”
“The MoU sets out a commitment that the Secretary of State for Transport and Welsh Ministers will set shared objectives for the Wales and Borders area.”
“As a result, we have agreed to publish a Framework for the MoU to set a direction of travel while leaving scope to revisit its contents once the future structure of the industry in Scotland is clear.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗