Office of Rail Regulation publishes its emerging conclusions for Phase 2 of Network Code reform
5 July 2005
ORR/29/05
A year on from publishing its conclusions on Phase 1 of Network Code reform, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has today published a document setting out and seeking views on:
- our emerging conclusions on further changes to Parts F (vehicle change) and G (network change);
- our proposed approach on the extent to which third parties (i.e. industry parties other than those who are parties to access contracts) should have certain rights under the Network Code; and
- how and when ORR should commence the information provisions of Part K of the Code.
The document also updates the rail industry on key developments and changes to the Network Code since July 2004 and summarises the current work being carried out. This includes interim changes to timetabling processes, new dispute resolution rules, the development of a Railway Operational Code and joint performance improvement plans to improve performance. It asks consultees to identify any areas where they believe further work to reform the Network Code is required.
ORR is grateful to the industry for the work it has done to date and the commitment and support it continues to show in progressing the reforms.
Notes for editors:
- The consultation period on the emerging conclusions document, Network Code Reform Phase 2: update and emerging conclusions, closes on 12 August 2005. This document is available here and from the ORR Librarian, Sue MacSwan, 1 Waterhouse Square, 138-142 Holborn, London EC1N 2TQ, tel: 020 7282 2001, fax: 020 7282 2045, email: rail.library@orr.gsi.gov.uk .
- The Network Code is a common set of contractual provisions contained in every track access agreement giving permission to use Network Rail’s network (other than certain pre-privatisation contracts such as the arrangements for Heathrow Express and London Underground). The Code concerns areas where common processes are necessary/desirable, such as delay attribution (Part B), timetabling (Part D), vehicle and network change (Parts F and G) and operation of the network (Part H). The Access Dispute Resolution Rules, setting out how disputes under access contracts are resolved, are annexed to the Network Code.
- The reform of the Network Code has been an ongoing project developed following an initial approach to the industry in March 2004 and culminating in the then Regulator’s conclusions and notice of changes in July 2004, Reform of the Network Code: Conclusions on Phase 1 and notice of changes . That document envisaged further changes led by the industry with active ORR involvement, particularly in terms of looking at the economic architecture of the relationship between Network Rail and train operators (passenger and freight), and the structure and breadth of the code’s coverage. A number of industry groups were established on specific issues to take forward phase 2 of the reforms.
- Considerable progress has been made by the industry in taking forward the Phase 2 reforms, as set out in Chapter 2 of this document. However, there are three areas where we consider that further consultation by ORR with the industry is required before we can achieve further progress, as set out in the document.
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