As Grand Central plans a new Manchester–Paris service, ALLRAIL Policy Director John Thomas highlights growing concerns over delays and refusals of Open Access applications ahead of rail reform.

The UK spends around GBP 1.5 billion a year maintaining passenger trains. Yet too much of this market remains shaped by long-term lock-in, limited transparency and dependence on suppliers that control access to technical data, diagnostics, software and spare parts.

As the UK Railways Bill progresses, the key question is no longer simply whether Great British Railways (GBR) should be created, but whether it will be created with the right safeguards.

As the UK Railways Bill progresses, the key question is no longer simply whether Great British Railways (GBR) should be created, but whether it will be created with the right safeguards.

ALLRAIL Secretary General Nick Brooks and Policy Director John Thomas spoke on behalf of ALLRAIL at the 14th International Railway Summit, taking place in London from 2-4 June 2026.