Rail network

Plans, improvements and investment in the rail network.

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Guidance and regulation

• Great British Railways and the public ownership programme
  • Detailed guide
  • 10 March 2026
  • Department for Transport and DfT Operator Limited
• Stalybridge and Diggle (Saddleworth): Transport and Works Act order
  • Guidance
  • 7 November 2025
  • Department for Transport
• Amendments to rail operator licensing regulations
  • Statutory guidance
  • 13 May 2021
  • Department for Transport
• Restoring your Railway Fund programme update
  • Guidance
  • 18 June 2022
  • Department for Transport
• East West Rail safeguarding directions
  • Statutory guidance
  • 19 November 2025
  • Department for Transport and East West Railway Company Limited

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News and communications

• East West Rail's plans for the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor
  • 14 April 2026
  • Department for Transport
  • Written statement
• DFTO takes next steps towards Great British Railways
  • 20 March 2026
  • Department for Transport and DfT Operator Limited
  • Press release
• West Midlands Trains services transferred
  • 1 February 2026
  • DfT Operator Limited
  • News story
• Transfer of West Midlands Trains’ services into public ownership
  • 30 January 2026
  • Department for Transport and DfT Operator Limited
  • Written statement
• London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway services return to public ownership
  • 30 January 2026
  • Department for Transport and DfT Operator Limited
  • Press release

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Research and statistics

• Rail passenger numbers and crowding on weekdays in major cities in England and Wales: 2025
  • 28 April 2026
  • Department for Transport
  • National statistics announcement
• Delay compensation claims: 12 October 2025 to 3 January 2026 (Periods 8 to 10)
  • 24 March 2026
  • Office of Rail and Road
  • Official statistics
• Passenger rail usage: October to December 2025
  • 19 March 2026
  • Office of Rail and Road
  • National statistics
• Freight rail usage and performance: October to December 2025
  • 12 March 2026
  • Office of Rail and Road
  • National statistics
• Passenger rail service complaints: April to September 2025
  • 5 February 2026
  • Office of Rail and Road
  • National statistics

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Policy papers and consultations

• A railway fit for Britain's future
  • 5 November 2025
  • Department for Transport
  • Consultation outcome
  • Date closed 15 April 2025
• Railway passenger services designation
  • 20 January 2026
  • Department for Transport
  • Policy paper
• A railway fit for Britain's future: government response
  • 11 November 2025
  • Department for Transport
  • Policy paper
• Joint declaration of intent to develop direct rail passenger services between the UK and Germany
  • 14 August 2025
  • Department for Transport
  • Policy paper
• Memorandum of understanding between DfT and Swiss Confederation: direct international rail connection
  • 9 May 2025
  • Department for Transport
  • Policy paper

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Transparency and freedom of information releases

• Restoring Your Railway Fund: bids received
  • 27 October 2021
  • Department for Transport
  • Transparency
• Restoring Your Railway Fund: successful bids
  • 27 October 2021
  • Department for Transport
  • Transparency

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Organisations

• Department
  for Transport
• HM Treasury
• Home Office

• DfT Operator Limited
• High Speed Two (HS2) Limited

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