Overview

High levels of capital investment in railways and the legacy of the McNulty cost reduction agenda have combined to create opportunities and challenges for rail infrastructure businesses.

Our team of leading rail lawyers has a strong reputation for providing straightforward advice on complex legal issues surrounding rail infrastructure. The team's experience, built up over the years since privatisation, covers all aspects of infrastructure and rail real estate. We advise clients on a wide range of issues and provide constructive and proactive advice to guide them efficiently and effectively though transactions relating to new railway infrastructure, stations, depots and other railway facilities.

A key aim of the Shaw Report is to encourage private capital investment into the UK railway. The combination of our comprehensive understanding of the UK rail industry and experience of dealing with major rail infrastructure projects means that we are uniquely placed to advise on such investments.

More broadly, as well as dealing with projects involving the regeneration of railway stations, our team also advises clients on regeneration and redevelopment projects at and around railway stations.

Areas of focus

Our expertise in rail infrastructure includes the following:

  • Construction of new railway infrastructure.
  • New stations and depots.
  • Retail and passenger facilities.
  • Rail connected facilities.
  • Regeneration of land at and around railways stations.
Experience

Advising London Underground on all aspects of the Metropolitan Line extension from Croxley Green to Watford Junction station.

Advising Rail for London on the construction of new depot facilities at Willesden to support the introduction of new longer trains for the London Overground.

Advising Abellio Greater Anglia on various depot infrastructure issues arising as a result of the construction and future operation of the Elizabeth Line.

Advising London Southend Airport on the opening of a new railway station, Southend Airport Parkway station. The new station forms part of new transport hub serving the airport, which recently opened an extended runway.

Advising First Capital Connect/GoVia Thameslink on the construction and leasing of two new depots built to serve the new fleet of trains acquired under the £1.6 billion Thameslink Rolling Stock Programme.

Advising a major European rolling stock manufacturer on the rail infrastructure elements of its bid to provide a fleet of new trains to serve the Elizabeth Line.

Advising Groundwork Wakefield on its regeneration of Wakefield Kirkgate station – once described by Lord Adonis as the worst station in the UK.

Advising a large European developer on its plans to regenerate a large site immediately adjoining (and connected to) a Network Rail managed station.

Meet the team
Philip Beer

Philip Beer Partner

  • Real Estate
  • Transport
  • Energy and Utilities
Brioney Thomas

Brioney Thomas Partner

  • Head of Transport
  • Asset Finance and Asset Backed Lending
  • Commercial

Rail Infrastructure

An unparalleled level of support and experience for anyone working in the rail industry.
Legal 500 2023

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