In this section
Home > Publications > PR13 guide > About the review
About the review
Download a PDF version of the guide (
913 Kb)
What is the Periodic Review?
Every five years, we review Network Rail’s Strategic Business Plan to ensure that the plan:
- Meets the requirements of the governments in Westminster and Scotland
- Is affordable for governments
- Delivers value for money for passengers and freight users
We started our review for the for the years 2014-19, known as control period 5 (CP5) in 2011 by holding a series of public events across Britain and consulting stakeholders including passenger and consumer groups, train and freight operating companies and local authorities.
Informed by these consultations, our decisions will help determine how the railways improve and develop safely over the next five years – a time when they have a vital role to play in supporting the economy.
Delivering value for passengers and taxpayers
Britain’s railways are vital to the country’s economy. More people and more goods move by train than for many years, with passenger journeys up by more than 50% over the last decade.
While a modern, expanding railway is good for the country, it’s important that passengers and taxpayers get value for the contribution they make. Between 2014 and 2019, Network Rail will need to work harder than ever to ensure maximum value for money.
Our review has looked at its Strategic Business Plan in significant depth and detail, drilling down on costs at route level and focusing on major improvement projects and investment in replacing infrastructure such as track, buildings and bridges. We’ve also looked at the proposed performance of the network in terms of punctuality and reliability and also the safety aspects of the proposals.
Based on this analysis, we’ll ask Network Rail to run the network for £1.9bn less than the company originally proposed.
How the rail industry is funded
Total income for 2011-12: £12.5bn.
This figure is made up of:
- £7.2bn from passengers
- £1.3bn from commercial operations such as station shops and car parks
- £4bn in subsidy from the taxpayer
- £64m from freight
Find out more about how we’ll require Network Rail to make efficiency savings.
