Emerging Open Access Venture Secures Track Access Agreement Amid Ongoing Funding Hurdles

According to a recent publication by Rail Business UK, the innovative co-operative Go-op in the UK has secured a track access agreement with Network Rail. They are now on the lookout for investors to help kick off regional passenger services connecting Swindon, Taunton, and Weston-Super-Mare by December 2026.

The co-op is currently negotiating to lease four-car Class 769 electro-diesel trains. These units can reach speeds of up to 145 km/h and promise significantly more room for passengers, bicycles, and freight compared to the previously considered Class 153 single cars or Class 150 two-car DMUs that only travel at speeds of up to 120 km/h. On June 13, director Alex Lawrie mentioned that they aim to finalize this leasing deal by summer’s end.

The Office of Rail & Road approved Go-op’s track access request in November 2024 but imposed certain conditions due to its unique cooperative model. Lawrie noted that Go-op must demonstrate financial readiness and secure rolling stock by May 2026; otherwise, their rights will expire if they fail to launch operations by December of that year.

to date, funding has come from small contributions made by its members—around £600,000 was raised for development purposes—but this amount falls short of what’s needed for a successful launch. Attempts at crowdfunding didn’t yield expected results; it seems potential backers were hesitant due to the project’s reliance on non-tangible assets and uncertainties surrounding open-access operators’ roles within Great British Railways’ future framework.

This situation has led Go-op to seek partnerships with a select group of seasoned investors who can provide the £2.5 million required for service initiation. Lawrie emphasized that launching such an initiative necessitates specialized investment rather than relying solely on community support from everyday individuals.