Track access and the Network Code

This section contains all the links related to access guidance in applying for track access. It also contains links to current policy work and our document archive.

What's new

We have published our conclusions on the reform of Schedule 5 ( PDF 2197 Kb).

Contact the track access team if you have any queries about track access.

How to apply for

Access for passenger operators
Including the application form for use by passenger operators (including charter and open access operators), our passenger model contracts, our general approvals and information for new entrants to the market, including potential international operators.
Access for freight operators
Including the application form for use by freight operators, our freight model contract, our general approvals and information for new entrants to the market.
Access for freight customers
This page contains our model contract for freight customer, our general approvals and information for new entrants to the market.
A track access option
Our track access option policy and model clauses.
A connection contract
Information for those wishing to apply for a connection to Network Rail’s network, including our model connection contract and general approval.
An access exemption
Our policy on access exemptions.

Current track access applications

New contracts (section 17 and 18)
All current applications we are considering for new, agreed contracts (section 18 of the Railways Act 1993) and new, disputed contracts (section 17 of the Act).
Amendments to contracts (section 22 and 22A)
All current applications we are considering for agreed amendments to contracts (section 22 of the Act) and disputed amendments to contracts (section 22A of the Act).
Other applications
Other applications we are considering which do not fall into current applications under sections 17-22A. There are no other applications at present.

Track access decisions

This section contains the most recent decisions we have made. For access decisions made more than six months ago, please see the decisions library below.

Section 17
All decisions we have made on new, disputed contracts in the last six months.
Section 18
All decisions we have made on new, agreed contracts in the last six months.
Section 22
All decisions we have made on agreed amendments to contracts in the last six months.
Section 22A
All decisions we have made on disputed amendments to contracts in the last six months.
Other decisions
All decisions which do not come under s17-22A which we have made in the last six months.
Decisions library
All track access application decisions we have made which are older than six months.

Current work and policies

Criteria and procedures
Our guidance on criteria and procedures in processing applications for track access contracts and amendments to them.
The Network Code
Information on the network code, a common set of rules and procedures that apply to all parties who have a contractual right to track access.
The Rail Infrastructure (Access and Management) Regulations 2005
Information on the Access and Management Regulations, and ORR’s related role and obligations.
Industry reform - review of access contractual and consultation arrangements
Information on the workstream of our wider industry reform programme which deals specifically with a review of access contractual and consultation arrangements.
West Coast Main Line
Information on the long-term allocation of capacity on the West Coast Main Line.
East Coast Main Line - lessons learned review
This page contains information on our ECML ‘lessons learned’ review, produced as a result of the recent capacity allocation exercise carried out on the East Coast Mainline.
Policy and document archive
This page contains previous policy decisions we have made and workstreams we have undertaken. For track access application decisions, please see the decisions library below.