UK and Welsh governments sign rail agreement giving Wales greater say under Great British Railways
A new memorandum of understanding between Westminster and the Welsh Government sets out how both administrations will work together under Great British Railways to deliver improved services, bilingual passenger information, and stronger local decision-making for Welsh rail users.
The UK and Welsh governments have signed a landmark agreement setting out how they will collaborate under Great British Railways (GBR) to deliver better, more reliable train services for passengers in Wales and along the English-Welsh borders.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU), published on 25 March 2026, was agreed between Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and the Welsh Government's Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates. It establishes clearly defined responsibilities and governance arrangements, with the aim of ensuring quicker, more joined-up decision-making on rail services affecting Welsh communities.
Under the agreement, GBR and Transport for Wales (TfW) will plan services together, with both UK and Welsh ministers shaping priorities for the network. The deal includes a commitment to providing bilingual customer information in English and Welsh, and pledges to improve connections between rail, bus, and active travel to make end-to-end journeys simpler for passengers.
Heidi Alexander said the agreement would give the Welsh Government "a new, strengthened role and a bigger say in how the railway is run for local communities to improve connectivity". She added: "At its heart, this agreement is about improving passenger experience by aligning how both governments plan and manage rail services, including cross-border travel."
The MoU builds on the UK government's existing commitment to Transport for Wales's estimated £14 billion long-term vision for Welsh rail, backed by at least £445 million for enhancements in both north and south Wales. That funding is earmarked for building seven new stations, fixing level crossings, and upgrading existing lines, and is expected to support 12,000 jobs across the country.
Key benefits for passengers and communities
- Priorities shaped jointly by UK and Welsh ministers, reflecting the needs of local passengers and communities
- More joined-up planning of rail services and infrastructure across the Wales and Borders area
- A commitment to bilingual customer information in English and Welsh
- Faster resolution of issues affecting passengers, informed by local input
- Better integration between rail, bus, and other transport modes
Ken Skates described the agreement as outlining "the strong partnership between our two governments to deliver for the people of Wales", adding that it would ensure "even closer working as we deliver improved rail services for passengers".
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said the deal meant that "decisions about transforming rail in Wales will put the needs of local communities front and centre", and emphasised its role in connecting people with employment opportunities and driving economic growth.
GBR, which is due to be formally established in 2027, will run and manage both tracks and trains, ending what the government has described as years of fragmentation in the rail network. The Welsh agreement is being presented as a significant milestone in the broader programme of rail reform across Great Britain.