Plans to fix the ‘broken’ rail system across the UK and deliver reliable services for all have been set out by the Government.
The Department for Transport (DfT) is aiming to ‘rewire Britain’s railways’ with the introduction of its landmark bill unveiled by the Government yesterday (18 February), most notably including the setting up of a powerful passenger watchdog to reform Great British Railways (GBR), give passengers a voice, and hold train operators to account.
The creation of the new watchdog is described as being a ‘once in a generation overhaul’.
Its establishment should bring track and train together, end ‘major failures’, and deliver reliable services for passengers, all while catalysing growth across the country, the DfT assures.
It will also give devolved leaders more of a say on the services that directly impact their towns and cities, and work together to integrate transport , ultimately making it simpler to travel and attracting more people to our railways.
The Government has set out plans to fix the UK’s ‘broken’ rail system and deliver reliable services / Credit: Network Rail
The new independent watchdog will be tasked with ensuring GBR addresses the issues that consistently rank highest in passenger complaints to ensure the public are given clear information when they travel.
Working with the Transport Secretary and GBR, the watchdog will also be given the powers to set clear standards for passengers on things like journey information and assistance, investigate persistent problems, and publish reports on poor service – before referring this to the railway regulator for enforcement action.
The Railways Bill is set to deliver a once in a generation overhaul of Britain's railways.
But what will it actually do, and what does this mean for passengers?
A public consultation on the plans has also been launched this week, giving the Government a chance to hear Brits’ views on putting an end to ‘outdated and inefficient processes’ which have resulted in poor performance, timetable chaos, and complex fares and ticketing over the years.
“Passengers have put up with broken railways for far too long,” insisted Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander.
“This landmark reform will sweep away decades of failure, creating a Great British Railways passengers can rely on.
“We’re giving passengers a powerful voice with a new watchdog dedicated to addressing their biggest concerns, building railways people can trust, improving our services, and boosting the economy in the process.”
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
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Leeds pizza shop hailed ‘exceptional’ and ‘best in the UK’ by major reviewer
A Leeds pizza takeaway has received a glowing review from popular review duo.
Edges Pizza opened up their first permanent spot in Leeds back in June this year, after making a name for themselves slinging out pizzas at multiple pop-ups across the city.
Owners Grace and Edge from Harrogate opened Edges Pizza two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their pizzas are a love letter to the class New York slice, think thin and crispy rather than chewy and floppy. But above all else, think absolutely delicious.
And now, they've caught the attention of a major review page, with Bite Twice Food Reviews (a page with almost 300k followers) paying Edges a visit.
The food review duo of Gerry del Guercio and Paul Delany popped up in Holbeck beneath the arches to get their hands on a pizza, and the outcome is brilliant.
In the video, Bite Twice said that the pizza is 'f**cking exceptional' and up there with 'one of the best pizzas in the UK'.
Before even taking a bite, they said: "On aesthetic, I don't think anywhere in the UK is doing pizza like this".
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Then after the first bite, they go on to say: "There are very few pizzas in the UK that create this, I’m a little bit blown away".
As Londoners themselves, they go on to say that Edges is 'easily hitting with the best that we’ve got down south'.
And if that's not high praise enough, they sign off the video saying: "Leeds has got an absolute gem. I give this a stamp so hard my foot went through the pizza. Edges. Don Level."
Yorkshire-set Christmas film by Leeds director starring Richard E. Grant set to hit UK cinemas next month
Clementine Hall
A brand-new Christmas film is hitting cinemas nationwide next month - and it’s a proper Leeds success story.
Jack Spring directed his first feature film at just 19 years old and has spent the last decade carving out a career in independent film, as well as co-founding Leeds-based production company Shush Films.
His first movie, Destination: Dewsbury, was shot just down the road in - you guessed it - Dewsbury. And after moving to Leeds from Grimsby, Jack became determined to build his business from the city, putting down roots and growing his production company here.
Image: Supplied
Now, after years of working on independent projects, Jack has taken his biggest leap yet with a brand-new Christmas film, Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint.
Set in Yorkshire, Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint follows Aubrey Flint, a reclusive model soldier painter with a lifelong hatred of Christmas, who is sentenced to community service at Willow Lodge - a retirement home on the brink of closure.
Roped into helping with a chaotic production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Aubrey clashes with its interesting set of residents...
And the cast is about as star-studded as it gets, featuring Richard E. Grant, John Bradley, Celia Imrie, Adjoa Andoh, Sophia Di Martino, Adrian Rawlins and Kiell Smith-Bynoe.
Image: Supplied
The heartwarming festive comedy will hit cinemas nationwide on Friday 6 November - a huge milestone for a Leeds-based director and production company, taking a homegrown Yorkshire story to audiences across the country.
You just can't beat a proper wholesome British Christmas film, so you can best believe we'll be watching in the cinema, popcorn in hand.
Emily Sergeant -
19th February 2025 
