REDDITCH MP Chris Bloore MP has backed the Government’s Railways Bill in the House of Commons, describing it as “the most significant reform of our railways in a generation” and a major step towards more reliable, integrated rail services for local passengers.
Speaking during the Commons Chamber debate, the MP drew on his experience as a regular commuter, a lifelong railway enthusiast, a member of the ASLEF parliamentary group and his involvement with local rail user groups to highlight how the current fragmented system is failing passengers in communities like Redditch.
He told the House of Commons that, just last week, passengers in Redditch had faced every morning service being cancelled because of poor weather, underscoring the urgent need for reform.
The Railways Bill will bring track and train back together under a new publicly owned body, Great British Railways, ending the current fragmented structure and creating a single organisation responsible for performance, reliability and long-term planning.
Chris Bloore MP said: “For too long, passengers have suffered from a fragmented railway system, with split responsibilities, inconsistent priorities and no clear accountability.
“My constituents in Redditch know exactly what that looks like when services are cancelled and reliability falls apart.
“This Bill is a turning point. It brings track and train together under one organisation, restoring the principle that our railways should operate as a single, integrated system that puts passengers first.”
Mr Bloore highlighted that the current system involves up to 17 separate organisations with overlapping responsibilities, creating confusion for passengers and inefficiency for taxpayers.
He said the creation of Great British Railways would simplify fares and ticketing, introduce stronger accountability and improve both passenger and freight services.
He added: “This is about building a railway that works as one system, with long-term planning, modern ticketing and real public accountability.
“Alongside investment in the Midlands Rail Hub and the freeze on rail fares, the Bill lays the foundations for a railway that works for passengers and the staff who keep the network running.”
