York MP questions rail minister over fears Great British Railways could be cancelled
The city is in the running to host the new public body, announced by the government last year
York MP Rachael Maskell has questioned the rail minister over concerns Great British Railways could be axed.
The new public body was announced by former transport secretary Grant Shapps last year, and is intended to improve the industry by bringing it closer together.
But reports suggest it could be scrapped, after Liz Truss took over from Boris Johnson as Prime Minister and replaced Mr. Shapps.
York is in the running to host the headquarters of Great British Railways, which could bring millions of pounds of investment and hundreds of jobs to the city.
Ms. Maskell tweeted on Thursday (October 13): "With rumours of #GBRHQ being cancelled, I put a straight question to the new Rail Minister as to what was happening with the announcement of the new HQ.
"He says that we will hear soon .... if or where .... this is now the question?"
Yesterday, the leader of City of York Council Keith Aspden wrote to new transport secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan, asking for clarification.
In a statement, the transport secretary said: "“The Secretary of State has made clear the Government’s commitment to modernising rail for passengers and freight, and transforming the industry so that it is sustainable for the future.
“We are continuing to work with the sector to tackle the challenges set out in the Plan for Rail, that continue to face the railway as it recovers from the pandemic.
"We remain committed to reforming our railways, improving journeys for passengers and creating a better, more modern UK rail industry."