Signalling review

This page contains all documents relating to the signalling review 2005.

Scope of review

ORR’s Signalling Review determined the funding necessary to renew and maintain the signalling systems in an efficient manner. Driving down unit and total costs, minimising operational disruption and improving reliability for railway users are key issues under consideration. It looked at signalling in its widest context – from the signals themselves to control centres, level crossings and train protection. The Signalling Review also addressed other related issues such as the introduction of new technology, enhancements and safety requirements.

Background

In the Access Charges Review 2003 (ACR2003), the Rail Regulator concluded that Network Rail’s signalling strategy was insufficiently developed to support its proposed increase in signalling renewals spending in the last three years of the control period. Further to the final conclusions of ACR2003 an interim review of signalling costs (the Signalling Review) was carried out.

A two stage review

Following the consultation document in November 2004 it was agreed that the review would be done in two phases. We published the final conclusions for the medium-term review which determined the funding for CP3 (to 2009).

The 2005 Railways Act introduced some important changes to the conduct of access charges reviews and the Periodic Review 2008 was conducted accordingly. As a result, we changed the timescales for the long-term Signalling Review so that it aligned fully with the Periodic Review process. Our PR08 determination includes the funding of signalling renewals for CP4 (to 2014).

Timetable

Network Rail commenced work on Signalling Review Jun 2004
ORR published industry letter Aug 2004
ORR published consultation document Nov 2004
Network Rail medium-term (to 2009) funding submission to ORR Apr 2005
ORR published industry letter May 2005
ORR medium-term review: draft conclusions Sep 2005
ORR medium-term review: final conclusions Dec 2005
Network Rail long-term (to 2014) technical strategy submission to ORR Apr 2006
Network Rail long-term funding submission to ORR (as part of Periodic Review submission) Jun 2006
ORR long-term review: draft conclusions Feb 2007
Network Rail post HLOS funding submission to ORR Oct 2007
ORR long-term review: conclusions for at least the early part of CP4 Autumn 2007
ORR long-term review: final conclusions (as part of the Periodic Review 2008) Oct 2008

Documentation

The following documents are available for download as PDF files:

14 Feb 2007 Periodic review 2008 - Timescales for signalling conclusions letter  
21 Dec 2005

Signalling Review: final conclusions of the medium-term review 

  
7 Sep 2005

1- Signalling review: Draft conclusions of the medium-term review
2- Press notice

 Responses

19 May 2005

 Signalling review industry letter

 

Apr 2005 Network Rail's signalling review medium term funding submission  

17 Nov 2004

1- Signalling review - Initial consultation on the review process
2- Press notice

 Responses
6 Aug 2004 Signalling review industry letter  

Consultants' papers

28 Jul 2005 SICA application and business planning review - Report by Lloyds Register Rail
1 Jul 2005 Independent Assessment of SICA using PAS 55 as a guide - Report by Lloyds Register Rail
28 Jun 2005

Indexation of Network Rail’s signalling costs - Report by Oxera

Last updated 30 January 2008