Stewardship of the network

Condition 7 of Network Rail’s network licence, which covers the stewardship of the network, requires it to secure the operation, maintenance, renewal and development of the network in order to satisfy the reasonable requirements of its customers and funders.

Network Rail has various obligations under condition 7 including a duty to produce an annual business plan as well as develop and maintain RUSs.

Network Rail's annual business plan

The network operator is required to demonstrate in its annual business plan how it plans to operate, maintain, renew, replace, enhance and develop the network. In respect of the quality and capability of the network, it must do this in accordance with best practice, in a timely, economic and efficient manner so as to satisfy the reasonable requirements of its customers and funders.

Under its network licence, Network Rail is currently required to publish an annual business plan by 31 March of each year, or another date that we may specify.

The most recent is Network Rail’s business plan - 2007

What we do

We specify the required format and structure of the business plan in a formal notice which must be given at least six months before the business plan is be published. We then assess the business plan to ensure it meets the requirements of the licence.

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