Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
On 20 May 2021, the Government announced the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail - a strategy to transform Britain’s railways.
[edit] Great British Railways (GBR)
The reforms will address fragmentation of the railway system by uniting them under the management of Great British Railways (GBR). The Government does not see this as renationalisation, but instead as simplification.
This newly created public body will plan and operate the network, own the infrastructure and collect most fare revenue. Under this arrangement, the goal will be to provide coordinated rail services and better integration with other transport services such as buses. GBR will contract private partners to operate the trains based on the timetable it sets.
[edit] Management role
Simpler structures and clear leadership will make decision-making easier and more transparent, reduce costs and make it cheaper to invest in modern ways to pay, upgrade the network and deliver new lines. These changes will set out to transform the railways by making them more accountable to taxpayers and the Government.
Under the plan, freight operations will primarily remain in the private sector market.
[edit] Reaction
Chris Richards, ICE Director of Policy said, "While it's good to see a more strategic approach to rail enhancements, there are a few additional questions that need to be addressed to ensure the public get the rail system they need".
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Collaboration needed to deliver national and regional transport strategies.
- Government construction and infrastructure pipelines.
- Infrastructure.
- Infrastructure nationalisation.
- Integrated transport system.
- Planning the infrastructure transition to net-zero.
- Railway engineering.
- Union Connectivity Review calls for UK-wide strategic transport network.
- Why demolition and infilling are blunt weapons in the management of historic structures.
[edit] External resources
- Department for Transport, Great British Railways: The Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail.
Featured articles and news
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.
Digital technology, transformation and cybersecurity
Supporting SMEs through Digitalisation in Construction.
Villa Wolf in Gubin, history and reconstruction. Book review.
Construction contract awards down one billion pounds
Decline over the past two months compared to the same period last year, follows the positive start to the year.
Editor's broadbrush view on forms of electrical heating in context.