Rail Regulator starts review of Railtrack's network management statement

30 March 2000
ORR/00/09

Rail Regulator starts review of Railtracks network management statement

Commenting on the publication today by Railtrack of its networkmanagement statement, the Rail Regulator, Tom Winsor, said: "I have todayreceived Railtracks latest network management statement (NMS).

"I shall be reviewing the statement and consulting with themain funder, the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority, other funders including thePassenger Transport Executives and train operators, to see if it provides themwith the information about the companys plans which they need to plan theirfuture activities. In particular, I shall want to ask operators and funderswhether the NMS reflects the plans to meet their needs and aspirations.

Mr Winsor said: "This review will be carried out quickly.In addition to providing the necessary information for funders, this yearsNMS will also be an important input into my periodic review of Railtracksfunding requirements for the period from 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2006.

"The purpose of the periodic review is to ensure that Railtrack gets the funding it needs to meet its customers reasonable requirements in an efficient and effective manner."

See Regulator's Network Management Statement page.

Notes to Editors

1. Railtrack is required, under the terms of its network licence, to publish annually a statement enabling existing and potential train operators and funders to plan their businesses and future financial and service requirements with a reasonable degree of assurance.
2. Although the Regulator has to approve the form and period covered by the statement the content is the sole responsibility of Railtrack. The Regulator does not have prior knowledge of the content nor is his approval of the content sought by Railtrack in advance of publication.
3. In the statement Railtrack is required to demonstrate the way in which it expects to maintain, renew, replace, improve, enhance and develop the network in accordance with best practice, in a timely, economic and efficient manner so as to satisfy the reasonable requirements of its customers and funders.

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