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Key stages of the review process

Stage one - from May 2011 until March 2012

This stage focuses on consultation on a number of key issues in preparation for the latter stages. It culminates in our advice to the Secretary of State and Scottish Ministers on how they should develop their high-level output specification (HLOS) and a statement on funding available (SoFA). These set out what they want to be achieved by the railways from 2014 and the public financial resources that are, or are likely to be, available for this.

Stage two - from March 2012 to October 2013

During this phase we will consult on more detailed issues relating to the regulatory framework and how access charges should be set. The Secretary of State and Scottish Ministers must also issue their HLOSs and SoFAs to us.

This is a key stage of the review and it is important for stakeholders to make their views known to the relevant government in relation to the issues and priorities that they consider are most important. It ends with the publication of our determinations.

Stage three - from October 2013 to April 2014

This stage sees the detailed planning by Network Rail and its partners for the implementation of our determinations.