Network Rail regulation

Network Rail is the private sector monopoly owner and operator of the national rail network, including track, signalling, bridges, tunnels and stations. Our principal economic function is to regulate Network Rail's stewardship of the national rail network.

Network licence

Network Rail operates under a network licence. This licence contains a set of conditions under which Network Rail must operate. Network Rail is also accountable under its licence. Network Rail‘s accountability pages set out further details about this. Key areas of the licence include:

Monitoring and enforcement

The regulatory framework is designed to provide effective incentives, rewarding Network Rail for doing a good job. Where necessary, we may enforce compliance with the network licence if Network Rail fails to fulfill its obligations, and we may also impose monetary penalties.

• Accountability
• Monitoring
• Network Rail monitor
• Annual assessment of Network Rail
• Underspend and efficiency
• West Coast route modernisation project
• Enforcement
• Powers of enforcement
• Licence enforcement action taken by ORR to date
• Best practice studies

Periodic reviews and other access charges reviews

We set the contractual and financial framework within which Network Rail operates the network, ensuring that the company carries out its activities efficiently and is appropriately funded.

• Periodic review 2008
• Access charges review 2003
• Past reviews

Last updated 3 November 2008

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