A meeting of the Great British Railways Transition Team has been held in Derby for the first time, after the city was named as the future headquarters of GBR.

But although members of the team were welcomed by Derby City Council at the Derby Roundhouse, there is still no sign of progress with finding Parliamentary time for the essential Act of Parliament which will be needed to give GBT powers to become the industry’s ‘guiding mind’.

These will include taking over the responsibilities of Network Rail, which replaced Railtrack in 2002 and became a public sector body in 2014. GBR will also award passenger operating contracts and supervise them, instead of the Department for Transport.

Derby City Council revealed last night that it had hosted a GBRTT board meeting on 26 July.

The council said ‘The visit provided an opportunity for representatives from both parties to discuss progress and celebrate the potential that the move to Derby will bring.’

Council leader Baggy Shanker said: ‘It was a pleasure to welcome the board of Great British Railways to Derby for their first meeting in the city.

‘The Roundhouse was the perfect setting to showcase the city’s unmatched rail heritage once again, as well as its commitment to a bright future of skills, learning and innovation.

‘I was delighted to be able to share in positive conversations with the board about the future of GBR here in Derby. The atmosphere in the room was buzzing and ideas invigorating.’

GBRTT lead director Anit Chandarana added: ‘We’re grateful to Derby City Council for being such gracious hosts to our Board, as we work to create a simpler, better railway for everyone in Britain.’

Details of the Parliamentary business to be debated in 2023-24 have not yet been announced but the government has made no commitment to include GBR in the coming session, which will be the last before a General Election.