In November 2025, the UK Government outlined major changes to how rail services will be delivered across Wales and the wider Borders region. These reforms sit within the broader Railways Bill — the legislation designed to reshape the structure of Britain’s railway — but they also reflect the unique cross-border nature of Welsh rail travel and the need for clearer shared accountability.
A new framework for governance and delivery
At the heart of the announcement is a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UK and Welsh Governments. This agreement will formally set out how rail services in the Wales & Borders area will be planned, managed, governed, and funded. For the first time, both governments will work within a single, structured framework designed to support shared priorities rather than overlapping responsibilities.
A dedicated Wales & Borders business unit will be created within Great British Railways (GBR) — the new public body set to bring track and train operations under one organisation. This unit will be responsible for delivering services across the region, with its work guided by objectives jointly agreed by both governments.
Improving planning, integration and accountability
The reform package introduces several long-awaited changes aimed at improving coordination and long-term planning:
- Joint planning cycles, helping to align investment, timetables, and operational decisions.
- Better integration of track and train, reducing the fragmentation that has long hampered performance and decision-making.
- Clearer access and charging rules, making it easier to manage capacity and improve transparency.
- A refreshed Wales Rail Board, providing strategic oversight across planning, funding, and delivery.
In recognition of Wales’ key role in shaping its own rail network, Welsh Ministers will have a formal role in senior appointments within the Wales & Borders unit — a step toward stronger regional influence in decision-making.
Looking ahead to 2026
The full Memorandum of Understanding is scheduled for publication in spring 2026, alongside a new partnership agreement between GBR and Transport for Wales (TfW). Together, these documents will define how rail organisations collaborate day-to-day and how responsibilities are shared.
What this means for passengers
For rail users, these reforms aim to deliver what has often been missing: clear accountability, more consistent planning, and a more joined-up railway across a region where journeys frequently cross administrative boundaries. The hope is that closer collaboration and integrated management will translate into more reliable services, better investment decisions, and a clearer sense of who is responsible for outcomes.
As the Railways Bill continues through Parliament and the new GBR structure takes shape, Wales and the Borders will be one of the first areas to see what a more unified railway might look like in practice.
Read the full news on Government website: Rail Reform in the Wales and Borders area
