LNW-GW Joint
Veteran Member
I didn't hear the live speech, but the BBC write-up says there will be a High Speed Rail Bill, which is for the Crewe-Manchester section of Phase 2b.
Queen's Speech 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
What is a little surprising is that there was no mention of the long-awaited Shapps-Williams Bill/White Paper to reorganise the structure of the railway.
The Queen's Speech is of course not the last word on the legislation for the next session, as it could always be in the catch-all "other measures will be laid before you" clause.
Do we think there is still uncertainty about how/when the railway restructuring will be achieved?
I thought there would need to be some primary legislation to change the statutory position of Network Rail, ORR, DfT etc, not to mention the rail powers of the devolved administrations.
You'd expect a new Railways Bill to make any changes to the existing legislation.
Maybe the debate on the speech will unearth something more specific.
Either way we are out of the election "purdah" phase of government business so maybe the pent-up rail announcements will now come thick and fast (or not...).
Queen's Speech 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
My Government will strengthen the economic ties across the union, investing in and improving national infrastructure.
Proposals will be taken forward to transform connectivity by rail and bus [High Speed Rail (Crewe – Manchester) Bill]
and to extend 5G mobile coverage and gigabit capable broadband [Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill].
What is a little surprising is that there was no mention of the long-awaited Shapps-Williams Bill/White Paper to reorganise the structure of the railway.
The Queen's Speech is of course not the last word on the legislation for the next session, as it could always be in the catch-all "other measures will be laid before you" clause.
Do we think there is still uncertainty about how/when the railway restructuring will be achieved?
I thought there would need to be some primary legislation to change the statutory position of Network Rail, ORR, DfT etc, not to mention the rail powers of the devolved administrations.
You'd expect a new Railways Bill to make any changes to the existing legislation.
Maybe the debate on the speech will unearth something more specific.
Either way we are out of the election "purdah" phase of government business so maybe the pent-up rail announcements will now come thick and fast (or not...).