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PR13: Workshop on track access charges: cap on variable usage charge and freight-specific charge - Thursday 5 July 2012

As part of the Periodic Review 2013 (PR13), we consulted on capping certain track access charges in advance of its final determination for individual charges in October 2013. The cap takes the form of:

• An average variable usage charge per vehicle for freight vehicles and separately for passenger vehicles, not distinguishing variation in charge by individual vehicle or commodity; and
• A freight-specific charge, set to contribute to the fixed costs of rail infrastructure associated with freight traffic.

The cap is an upper limit on the average charge; we may ultimately determine lower charges.

We held a half-day workshop on 18 May 2012 at which we presented and discussed with key stakeholders the key findings of our consultation.

We held a similar event as part of this consultation on 5 July 2012 in order to provide stakeholders with a further opportunity to discuss our proposals, including more detail on work being carried out by Network Rail to estimate the freight associated avoidable costs of operating on the network.

Workshop slides

Slides from the latest workshop are available below, including those on the approach being taken by Network Rail’s consultants LEK to estimate freight avoidable costs of operating on the Network.

• ORR – Introduction, Variable Usage Charge, A Freight Specific Charge, Next Steps
  ( PDF 290 Kb)
• Network Rail – Initial variable usage cost estimates ( PDF 62 Kb)
• Rail Freight Group – Freight Charges Review and Freight Specific Charge, Impact on Customers ( PDF 204 Kb)
• LEK consultants – Freight Avoidable Costs ( PDF 205 Kb)

Related links

• Consultation on the variable usage charge and a freight specific charge
• First PR13 consultation
• NR VUC Consultation
• Advice to Ministers

Related slides