GWR to be nationalised by end of the year
Great Western Railway (GWR) will be brought into public ownership by the end of the year, the Government has confirmed.
The rail operator, which runs services in and out of Cornwall, will officially transfer into public ownership on December 13, 2026, after the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, issued an expiry notice ending the company’s contract with the Department for Transport (DfT).
The move forms part of the Government’s wider plans to bring train operators under the new Great British Railways model.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “This is another significant moment for the Government’s flagship public ownership programme and brings a simpler, more reliable network under Great British Railway a step closer.
“The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring services back into public ownership and put passengers, not shareholders, at the heart of our railways.”
GWR was originally privatised in February 1996 following the break-up of British Rail. The company first operated as Great Western Trains before becoming First Great Western in 1998. FirstGroup has run the franchise ever since, with the business rebranding as GWR in 2015.
Labour MP for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle, Perran Moon, welcomed the announcement and said the move delivers on a key Labour manifesto pledge.
He said: “An absolutely core policy commitment in the General Election Labour Party manifesto was the setting up of GB Rail and renationalising of the train operating companies.
“I’m absolutely delighted that, when it comes to GWR, we will be delivering on that commitment so soon into this Parliament.
“Privatisation of our railways was a fundamentally flawed policy and I’m pretty sure this renationalisation will be welcomed not only by those that use GWR but also the many people that work on our trains too.”
A Great Western Railway spokesperson said the company would continue working with the Government during the transition process.
They said: “We welcome the clarity provided by today’s announcement and will continue to work closely with the Department for Transport as we move into public ownership.
“Throughout this process, our priority will be maintaining a punctual, reliable service for customers while continuing to support regional growth and connectivity across our network.”