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ORR sets out plans to improve the processes for the next periodic review

29 October 2009
ORR/21/09

Increased passenger and freight customer engagement and more benchmarking of Network Rail against railways around the world are among key measures that will improve the process which establishes the company’s outputs and funding, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) set out today.

ORR chief executive, Bill Emery, has undertaken to implement a range of enhancements to the industry-wide planning process for the 2013 periodic review (which will establish Network Rail's outputs and funding for 2014-2019), including:

  • greater representation of passengers and freight customers in the periodic review process;
  • more benchmarking of Network Rail’s efficiency, and ensuring a comprehensive review of the incentives on the company; and
  • requiring Network Rail to make improvements to its business planning processes.

Bill Emery said:

"The recent evaluation of the process and management of the 2008 periodic review was judged to be well managed and delivered. However, it is important that we build on these findings and make further improvements for our 2013 periodic review.

“The Office of Rail Regulation is committed to implementing the independent evaluation’s recommendations, which include having greater representation of passenger and freight customers and developing further the extensive work on benchmarking we have started.

“We are also expecting the rail industry to take forward its joint planning work and develop a robust industry view to inform the next periodic review.”

Notes to editors

  1. Bill Emery’s letter responding to the independent evaluation and looking ahead to the 2013 periodic review is available on the ORR website at http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/pr13-orr-letter-291009.pdf.
  2. The independent evaluation review group report is available on the ORR website at http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/PR08evaluation.pdf.
  3. ORR expects to start its 2013 periodic review in October 2010 when it consults on the objectives for the review and any issues that it considers require early public debate and resolution.
  4. The independent evaluation was commissioned by the ORR board. The objectives of the evaluation were to examine any aspect of the process and management of the 2008 periodic review that the review group considered appropriate, although the objectives of the review group did not include reviewing the final decisions that the ORR reached in its determination. A letter from Chris Bolt, the former ORR chairman, outlining the evaluation is available on the ORR website at http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/independent_evaluation_cblet140509.pdf.
  5. Periodic review 2008: Determination of Network Rail’s outputs and funding for 2009-14, published on 30 October 2008, is available on our website at: http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/383.pdf.

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