Councils book seats on the rail devolution express – but will it ever leave the station?

Many English local authorities want to play a bigger part in managing local rail services. But the DfT’s devolution proposals aren’t pleasing all councils – and the rail industry has concerns too.

Centro wants to manage local services under the branding West Midlands Railways

Andrew Forster

Consultation closes at the end of this month on the DfT’s Rail decentralisation proposals that could give local authorities in England a bigger say in specifying local rail services (LTT 16 Mar). The idea has interested many areas, including the North of England, West Midlands, London, Bristol conurbation, Devon and Cornwall. But whether anything tangible will come from the discussions will ultimately depend on the fine detail of the Government’s plans and, in particular, the...

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