Government sets out roadmap for key rail reform publications ahead of Great British Railways launch

The Department for Transport (DfT) has published a schedule of policy documents that will be released over the next 18 months as preparations continue for the launch of Great British Railways (GBR).

A total of 13 publications are planned between summer 2026 and autumn 2027, providing greater detail on how the new organisation will operate and outlining the future direction of Britain's rail network.

GBR is expected to become operational next year and will bring together responsibility for rail infrastructure and operations under a single guiding body as part of the Government's wider programme of rail reform.

Among the first documents due this summer are the Government's Rail Freight Growth Target for 2040 and a discussion paper focused on the development of a long-term rail strategy. During the same period, Transport Focus and the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) will publish a summary memorandum of understanding, while Network Rail and DfT Operator Ltd will release a joint rolling stock and infrastructure strategy.

Further policy announcements are scheduled for autumn 2026. These include details on the implementation timetable for GBR, a roadmap explaining the transition to the new organisation, consultations on a retail code of practice, a draft access and use policy, and proposals for the future GBR operating licence.

The reform programme will continue into 2027. During the spring, the ORR is expected to consult on its appeals process and publish a final retail code of practice. Network Rail will also issue proposals relating to charging and performance arrangements, while GBR will release the completed version of its access and use policy.

The final major publication currently planned is the long-term rail strategy, due in autumn 2027. The document is expected to set out the objectives and outcomes the railway should deliver over the next three decades.

The timetable follows the recent publication of the Government's GBR licence policy document, which outlined the proposed accountability and governance framework for the new body.

Responding to the announcement,

Railway Industry Association (RIA) Chief Executive Darren Caplan welcomed the additional clarity provided to the sector.

He said the publication schedule offered “some much-needed visibility on the next stages of rail reform and a clearer understanding of when and how the industry can engage in developing important policies ahead of GBR's launch in 2027”.

Caplan added:

"The rail supply sector supports the ambition to create a simpler, more integrated railway that delivers better outcomes for passengers, freight customers and taxpayers. Two thirds of GBR’s spending will be through the supply chain, so achieving better outcomes requires close collaboration between Government, GBR and industry as the detailed arrangements are developed.

"For rail suppliers, visibility of future plans is key to investment confidence. Businesses across the sector are making long-term decisions on investment, skills, apprenticeships, innovation and capability, and need greater confidence in the future pipeline of work to help smooth the boom-and-bust cycles that have too often characterised rail investment.”

He also highlighted the importance of delivering long-term certainty for the industry, noting that suppliers will be looking for further progress on future investment plans that provide confidence to continue investing in people, technology and capacity.

The publication timetable is expected to play a significant role in shaping industry engagement as the transition towards Great British Railways gathers pace over the next two years.