Lydia Cullimore Partner

Lydia is a Partner in Burges Salmon’s Sustainable Transport team and specialises in advising clients in the rail sector on a broad range of contractual and regulatory issues.

Her experience includes advising on high-value commercial contracts, infrastructure development projects, passenger rail contracts, funding arrangements, regulated access agreements and rail regulatory compliance. She acts for public sector authorities, train operators, rail freight companies and infrastructure developers.

Lydia applies her in-depth understanding of the relevant regulatory framework and practical constraints of the operational railway, to work collaboratively with clients on developing commercial solutions and delivering large-scale complex projects to tight deadlines.

Lydia was appointed to the Board of the Rail Freight Group in November 2024 and acts as a judge for the Rail Freight Group annual awards. She also seeks to encourage diversity and inclusion in the sector and is part of the Women in Rail, Wales Committee.

• Advising Welsh Government/Transport for Wales on the mobilisation of the Wales and Borders franchise and its devolution arrangements with the Secretary of State for Transport.
• Advising West Midlands Trains on the mobilisation of the West Midlands franchise.
• Advising Greater Anglia on depot enhancement works at Illford depot to accommodate the new Crossrail rolling stock.
• Advising Abellio Group on its bids for the West Midlands and Essex Thameside franchises.
• Advising Greater Anglia on a broad range of operational matters, from rolling stock modification and sub-leasing arrangements and depot access arrangements to train crew hire and station maintenance agreements.
• Advising Great Western Railway on a range of operational matters including funding arrangements for various infrastructure enhancements.
• Advising Translink on a range of UK and EU regulatory issues.