Access for freight operators

For guidance on how to apply for a track access contract for a freight operator please read our Criteria and procedures for the approval of track access contracts ( PDF PDF 1149 Kb) (C&Ps).

Potential new entrants to the market should familiarise themselves with our Starting Mainline Rail Operations ( PDF PDF 832 Kb) document.

We advise all applicants to use our model contracts, provided below.

For previous policy decisions and workstreams, please see the policy and document archive.

For previous access application decisions, please see our decisions library or, for decisions in the last six months, the relevant decisions page.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

Application form

Applicants should use a Form F application form for all applications under sections 17-22A. The form is available below in Word and PDF format:

Applicants are advised to begin with the freight model contract. Further guidance on this can be found in our C&Ps document above.

We have powers under sections 18 and 22 of the Act to grant general approvals. The current freight general approvals are listed below:

The Freight Access (Changes to Track Access Contracts) General Approval 2009 ( PDF 73 Kb) permits Network Rail and the train operator to make amends to their track access agreement, subject to certain conditions without our specific approval. Any amendments beyond those permitted will require our specific approval under section 22 or directions under section 22A of the Act.
The Freight Access (Model Contract Amendments) General Approval 2008 ( PDF 148 Kb) allows any amendments which are necessary to freight track access agreements to reflect the version of the freight model contract published on 23 January 2008.
The Freight Access (New Track Access Contracts) General Approval 2009 ( PDF 123 Kb) enables Network Rail and an operator to enter into a track access contract for freight operator timetable deviation rights. This is accompanied by a template model contract showing areas which would need to be completed by the parties ( DOC 1252 Kb).
The Freight Facility (Ports and Terminals) General Approval 2011 ( PDF 180 Kb) enables port and terminal facility owners and their access beneficiaries to enter into ‘approved’ access contracts at those facilities under certain circumstances. Potential applicants should read the associated covering letter ( PDF 179 Kb).

Last updated: 19 January 2012