A More Accessible, Better Value Railway with GBR

I welcome Great British Railways' new Rolling Stock and Infrastructure Strategy, which sets out the biggest overhaul of how Britain plans, procures and operates trains in a generation. The strategy is about creating a railway that is more accessible, more reliable, and better value for taxpayers.

For decades, new passenger trains have generally been owned by rolling stock companies and leased to operators. Under the new approach, Great British Railways will assess on a case-by-case basis whether leasing, public ownership or other financing arrangements offer the best value for passengers and taxpayers. Leasing will no longer be the default option for new fleets.

I particularly welcome this change because it reflects concerns I have raised in Parliament about how rolling stock is procured, financed and managed. During debates on the Railways Bill, I highlighted Office of Rail and Road figures showing that rolling stock companies paid out hundreds of millions of pounds in dividends, and argued that they have become a symbol of the wider profiteering that has characterised parts of the privatised railway. Since privatisation, rolling stock companies have too often been able to extract significant profits at taxpayers' expense, and I have consistently raised this issue with the current and previous Governments - https://tinyurl.com/4m7fhtvs

For too long, decisions about trains, infrastructure, depots and maintenance have been taken separately. The new strategy seeks to bring these elements together, allowing Great British Railways to plan the railway as a single system and make better long-term decisions about fleet replacement, upgrades, maintenance and accessibility improvements, creating a railway that prioritises passengers over profits.

A more coordinated approach to procurement, greater public oversight and a willingness to consider public ownership where it offers better value represent important steps towards a railway that is easier to run, better for passengers and more accountable to the public.

Alongside these reforms, I am particularly pleased to see accessibility placed at the centre of future train design. No one should be excluded from our public transport network.

The Government has announced that level boarding will become the expectation for new trains wherever practical, allowing passengers to board and leave trains independently without having to rely on ramps or staff assistance. Future fleets will be designed around low-floor trains and a more consistent approach to accessibility across the network.

This is an issue I have consistently campaigned on in the House of Commons.

During scrutiny of the Railways Bill, I raised the urgent need to improve accessibility across our rail network - https://tinyurl.com/4saezz2j

I have repeatedly raised concerns with the Government about the accessibility of our railways, including the need for improved step-free access at Stockport Station and better transport connectivity across the North West. Time and again, I have made the case that disabled passengers should be able to travel with independence, confidence and dignity. Sadly, three out of five rail stations in Stockport constituency, Brinnington, Heaton Chapel and Reddish South, do not have step-free access. I want to see that addressed urgently and I will continue to press the Government on this.

This commitment to level boarding will make rail travel easier not only for wheelchair users, but also for older people, people with mobility impairments, passengers travelling with luggage and parents with prams.

The wider strategy also recognises that train fleets should be planned around passengers' needs, delivering a more consistent experience, modern facilities and greater reliability. Good public transport must be reliable, affordable and inclusive. It also helps us cut congestion on roads, supports economic growth and helps to protect the environment.

This strategy represents meaningful progress, and I look forward to seeing these commitments translated into real improvements for passengers across Stockport and the wider network.