Concerns Raised Over Lack of Meeting Records in Great British Railways Development

The transport specialist overseeing the establishment of the new nationalised Great British Railways has faced scrutiny regarding the absence of detailed minutes from crucial meetings with other influential industry leaders, who are also appointed and funded by taxpayers.

Laura Shoaf, formerly the transport director for the West Midlands, was brought in last autumn to chair the Shadow Great British Railways, which will serve as a precursor to the organization aimed at leading the newly renationalised railway sector.

Her role involves uniting three prominent figures in the rail industry to facilitate the creation of Great British Railways.

During a session with the House of Commons transport select committee, Shoaf acknowledged that her weekly discussions with Sir Andrew Haines, Robin Gisby, and Alex Hynes aimed at improving collaboration between track infrastructure and train operators had been both “challenging” and “robust.”

Haines, 60, is the chief executive of Network Rail, while Gisby, 68, leads the re-nationalised train operators, including LNER. Hynes, 47, who previously served as managing director of Scotland’s Railway, is now the director-general of rail services at the Department for Transport. Shoaf, 53, hails from the United States and is currently the chief executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority, overseeing the Greater Birmingham area.

Labour MP Laurence Turner raised questions during the hearing about the accountability of the Shadow Great British Railways, specifically whether meeting records were being maintained to assess the organization’s initial objectives as compared to its performance over time.

Shoaf responded, stating, “At the moment we do not keep detailed records of our meetings. As you might imagine, the meetings are challenging, and I want to maintain an environment that fosters open discussion.”

She elaborated that these gatherings are essential for transforming the mindsets, cultures, and behaviors in a currently fragmented railway system, which has resulted in substantial debates.

Turner remarked, “Given the significance of this policy, I am somewhat taken aback to learn that records are not being maintained.”

After the hearing, Turner expressed his support for the formation of Great British Railways but emphasized the necessity for adequate resources and the importance of maintaining clear records, even in the early phases of the shadow organization. “This represents the most significant overhaul of the railways in over thirty years, and we must ensure it is executed properly,” he stated.

He noted, “While some discussions may always remain sensitive, the need for privacy must be balanced with robust parliamentary scrutiny and the establishment of a clear historical record.”

A representative from the Department for Transport commented, “Records of meetings involving Laura Shoaf, Andrew Haines, Alex Hynes, and Robin Gisby at Shadow GBR are summarized through high-level notes, in accordance with standard practices. Once Great British Railways is operational, transparency arrangements akin to those of other public bodies are to be expected.”

It is understood that “high-level notes” refers to brief summaries of the discussions.

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