Global menu

Our global pages

Close

Eversheds Sutherland advises the Department for Transport on new Great Western National Rail contract

  • United Kingdom
  • Global

    27-06-2022

    Eversheds Sutherland has advised the Department for Transport (the Department) in relation to the award of a National Rail contract to First Greater Western Limited (GWR), in respect of the “Great Western” passenger rail services.

    GWR provides intercity, commuter and regional and local services across a wide area of the South West of Britain. It operates high speed intercity services using new Inter City Express Trains to Bristol, South Wales and the West Country.

    The new National Rail Contract commenced on 26 June 2022, following the expiry of GWR’s previous agreement with the Department. It has a core term of three years with an option for the Department to extend by up to three further years to June 2028.

    Under the new National Rail Contract, GWR will continue to evolve its customer offering to meet changing passenger needs, supporting customers switch to digital ticketing and making digital channels and information more accessible and personalised.

    The team was led by Principal Associate Andrew Bell and included Associate Katie Woodcock. Partner William Spickett advised on rolling stock matters.

    Will Spickett (Eversheds Sutherland deputy Client Partner for the Department) commented:

    “It has been great to work with our longstanding client, the Department for Transport, on its continued process of transferring franchises to the new NRC model. The successful delivery of the Great Western NRC required close collaboration with the DfT and I’m very proud of the Eversheds Sutherland team that delivered this particularly notable deal.”

    Andrew Bell commented:

    “We are delighted to have advised the Department for Transport on this strategically important new National Rail Contract, which will deliver benefits for passengers and stakeholders and which will support the continued implementation of the rail reform programme envisaged by the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail.”


    William Spickett, Partner
    Andrew Bell, Principal Associate

    This information is for guidance purposes only and should not be regarded as a substitute for taking legal advice. Please refer to the full terms and conditions on our website.

    < Go back

    Print Friendly and PDF

    © Eversheds Sutherland 2023. All rights reserved. Eversheds Sutherland is a global provider of legal and other services operating through various separate and distinct legal entities.

    Eversheds Sutherland is the name and brand under which the members of Eversheds Sutherland Limited (Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP and Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP) and their respective controlled, managed and affiliated firms and the members of Eversheds Sutherland (Europe) Limited (each an "Eversheds Sutherland Entity" and together the "Eversheds Sutherland Entities") provide legal or other services to clients around the world. Eversheds Sutherland Entities are constituted and regulated in accordance with relevant local regulatory and legal requirements and operate in accordance with their locally registered names. The use of the name Eversheds Sutherland, is for description purposes only and does not imply that the Eversheds Sutherland Entities are in a partnership or are part of a global LLP. The responsibility for the provision of services to the client is defined in the terms of engagement between the instructed firm and the client.