Taking a Step Back

The UK Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) must walk a fine line between intervention and market freedom, especially for issues such as regulating track access. This article discusses a recent review by the ORR of its criteria and procedures for approving track access contracts. The ORR is loosening its tight control of the approval process and will concentrate on areas of disagreement between parties to a proposed contract, the actual and potential impact of third parties, and the efficient use of available network capacity. However, the ORR has made it clear that it will continue to oversee the fair and efficient allocation of capacity. A dual approach is envisioned. First, the ORR will make increased use of general approvals that provide for the automatic approval of certain amendments to track access contracts without the need to obtain specific approval. Second, the ORR is contemplating a series of changes to the model track access contract itself. This will be done in two phases, culminating in early 2008.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/49957551
• Authors:
  • Knight, Suzanne
  • Watt, Martin
• Publication Date: 2007-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: pp 26-27
• Serial:
  • Rail Professional
  • Issue Number: 126
  • Publisher: Cambridge Publishers Limited
  • ISSN: 1476-2196
  • Serial URL: http://www.cpl.biz/ourwork/general/rp.htm

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Competition; Contracts; Railroad tracks; Regulation; Trackage rights
• Identifier Terms: UK Office of Rail Regulation
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01079527
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 22 2007 10:15AM