Transport bosses could lose 'meaningful control' as major railway deal for West Midlands set for renewal

The existing ‘collaboration agreement’ between West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE) and the Department for Transport (DfT) is set to expire in February.

And members of the West Midlands Combined Authority board are being urged to vote in favour of a special resolution to see the arrangement continue.

WMRE was set up to manage rail transport in the region and is owned by the Combined Authority members and seven other councils.

The collaboration agreement gives devolved powers to WMRE including the ability to propose changes to fares and passengers services, day to day contract and commercial management of services and ownership of the West Midlands Railway brand.

Members of the Board are expected to back the proposal at a meeting on Friday, January 16.

A report to the Board said: “As can be seen from these powers, the Collaboration Agreement is important because it elevates WMRE from the role of stakeholder to client, and gives it the ability to compel action from the rail industry and hold it to account for its delivery to customers.

“In England outside of London, only the Liverpool City Region has more extensive devolved powers in rail.

“If the Collaboration Agreement did not exist, the region would revert to its pre-2017 state of having no meaningful control over rail outcomes.

“This would make it much harder to realise the goal of a fully integrated transport network, at a time when it should be becoming easier thanks to bus franchising.

“DfT have confirmed in writing that they wish WMRE to continue to hold and exercise its existing devolved powers post February 1.

“WMRE Board has agreed that it too wants to continue to exercise the devolved powers. This necessitates a new Collaboration Agreement between WMRE and DfT.

“The new Collaboration Agreement is essentially a roll over of the previous terms.”