This page sets out all our PR18 publications, including consultations, notices and reports.
An overview diagram showing the main publications in the periodic review up to PR18 draft determination is available.
Working papers
Working paper 1: Implementing route-level regulation
This working paper explored how route level regulation might work in practice.
Published: 7 Jun 2016
Working papers 2 and 3: System operation
These working papers set out our initial views on potential issues and opportunities in system operation and on the regulatory framework for Network Rail’s system operator function.
Published: 7 Jun 2016
Working paper 4: Outputs framework
This paper set out our initial thinking in relation to the design and nature of what Network Rail would need to achieve in control period 6 (CP6).
Published: 8 Jul 2016
Working Paper 5: Options for the treatment of enhancements in PR18
This paper set out options for treatment of enhancements in control period 6 (CP6).
Published: 5 Aug 2016
Working paper 6: The volume incentive
This paper set out our emerging views around the effectiveness of the volume incentive, and its role going forward in light of wider changes.
Published: 30 November 2017
Working paper 7: Collaborative working on the rail network
This paper discussed how incentives for collaborative working between operators and Network Rail could be strengthened.
Published: 30 November 2017
Working paper 8: Managing change affecting the PR18 settlements
This paper discussed our proposed approach to balance the benefits of Network Rail being able to respond flexibly to changing circumstances against the benefits of our PR18 settlements for Network Rail’s routes and the system operator.
Published: 28 March 2018
Consultations
Statutory consultation on proposed changes to Network Rail’s network licence
Closing date: 31 January 2019
Consultation on policy for holding Network Rail to account
Closing date: 25 January 2019
Consultation on our approach to assessing the quality of Network Rail's stakeholder engagement
Closing date: 25 January 2019
Consultation on implementing infrastructure cost charges for open access operators
Closing date: 14 January 2019
Consultation on ORR's draft guidance on the Economic Equilibrium Test (EET)
Closing date: 14 January 2019
Periodic review 2018: draft determination
Closing date: 31 August 2018
Implementing PR18: consultation on changes to access contracts
Closing date: 31 August 2018
Network Rail network licence review: consultation on draft network licence
Closing date: 31 August 2018
Invitation to comment on roles and responsibilities for enhancements in CP6
Closing date: 31 August 2018
Second consultation on the PR18 financial framework
Closing date: 24 April 2018
Invitation to comment on Network Rail’s strategic business plans for CP6
Closing date: 6 March 2018
Consultation on our approach for assessing Network Rail's efficiency and wider financial performance in CP6
Closing date: 14 March 2018
Consultation on improvements to the drafting of Schedules 4, 7 and 8 of the passenger and freight model track access contracts
Closing date: 23 February 2018
Consultation on amending Schedule 4 notification factors
Closing date: 12 February 2018
Consultations on changes to charges and contractual incentives
Closing date: 30 November 2017
Consultation on possible measures of the System Operator's performance
Closing date: 21 September 2017
Consultation on the overall framework for regulating Network Rail
Closing date: 21 September 2017
Improving Network Rail’s efficiency – a consultation
Closing date: 13 September 2017
Consultation on the financial framework for PR18
Closing date: 13 April 2017
Consultation on draft guidance on Network Rail's strategic business plans
Closing date: 11 January 2017
Consultation on the development of the regulatory settlement for the Network Rail system operator in CP6
Closing date: 11 January 2017
Periodic review 2018 (2018) initial consultation and conclusions
Closing date: 10 August 2016
Network charges: A consultation on how charges can improve efficiency
Closing date: 4 March 2016
Consultation conclusions
Open access infrastructure cost charge implementation - conclusions
Published 21 March 2019
Changes to Network Rail's network licence: ORR's response to the statutory consultation
Published 19 March 2019
Roles and responsibilities for enhancements in CP6 - conclusions
Published 18 March 2019
Implementing PR18: Conclusions to consultation on changes to access contracts
Published 8 February 2019
Conclusions to January 2018 consultation on improvements to the drafting of Schedules 4, 7 and 8
Published 12 July 2018
Our approach to assessing Network Rail's efficiency and wider financial performance in CP6 - conclusions
Published 12 June 2018
Decision on Schedule 4 notification factors
Published 3 May 2018
Charges and contractual incentives - PR18 update
Published 13 April 2018
Conclusions on consultation on the overall framework for regulating Network Rail
Published 25 January 2018
Update on the Financial Framework for PR18
Published 14 December 2017
Conclusions on consultation on charges and contractual incentives
Published 29 June 2017
Guidance on Network Rail’s strategic business plans and our conclusions to our consultation
Published 23 February 2017
Conclusions on the initial consultation on the 2018 periodic review
Published 17 November 2016
Our findings on system operation issues, opportunities and future challenges
Published 17 November 2016
Letters and updates relating to PR18
Long term charges for new franchised stations opening in control period 6 (CP6) - Approval letter to Network Rail
Published 29 January 2020
Fixed track access charge (FTAC): System for reporting timetabled train miles in Control Period 6 (CP6) for the purposes of the fixed track charge (FTAC) wash-up
Published 1 August 2019
CP6 Freight charges - Letter to Mineral Products Association (MPA)
Response to the Mineral Products Association Ltd (MPA)'s letter of 11 March 2019 providing clarifications on the setting of CP6 track access charges and on the impact of changes between CP5 and CP6 on the construction materials sector.
29 April 2019
Schedule 8 recalibration: our determination on the annual caps for Freightliner Limited
8 March 2019
Determination of Grant Mechanism for Track Access Agreements (Scottish franchisees)
28 March 2019
Approval of Grant Mechanism for Track Access Agreements (England & Wales franchisees)
28 February 2019
Schedule 8 recalibration - our determination of the annual caps for DB Cargo
28 February 2019
Schedule 8 recalibration - our determination of the annual caps for GB Railfreight
28 February 2019
Contingency arrangements for a delay to the statutory implementation of PR18
27 November 2018
FOC Schedule 8 recalibration – ORR final decision on the level of freight operator exposure above the incident caps
11 October 2018
Letter to Network Rail and train operators regarding PR18 implementation and bespoke provisions in track access contracts
12 July 2018 (sent to Network Rail and train operators on 26 March 2018)
Schedule 8 recalibration: approval of Phase 1 parameters
5 June 2018
The Volume Incentive - conclusions on Working Paper 6
24 May 2018
PR18 approach to recalibration of charges and incentives - high level overview
23 May 2018
PR18 approach to recalibration of charges and incentives - detailed description for recalibration leads
23 May 2018
Risk scoring and assurance template
23 May 2018
FOC Schedule 8 recalibration - ORR final decision letter on incident cap risk premium
4 May 2018
TOC Schedule 8 recalibration - ORR final decision letter on delay multipliers
4 May 2018
Letter: Charges and contractual incentives - PR18 update
13 April 2018
Final Decision: Proposal to remove the annual adjustment to the freight and charter operator Schedule 8 benchmarks
9 March 2018
Update on the financial framework for PR18
14 December 2017
Letter: Proposal regarding the annual adjustment to the freight and charter operator Schedule 8 benchmarks
Published 8 November 2017
Letter to Network Rail on its cost allocation work
Published 3 August 2016
Letter: An update on ORR's review of charges
Published 7 April 2016
Consultants and reporters’ studies for PR18
Assessment of Network Rail's response to the performance challenges within the draft determination, report by Arup, published 9 November 2018. We appointed Arup (supported by Winder Phillips Associates) to evaluate the CP6 train performance trajectories presented in Network Rail's response to ORR's draft determination.
Review of network capability in CP5, report by Arup, published 9 November 2018. We appointed Arup to assist ORR in forming an assessment of Network Rail's achievement of the CP5 regulated output for network capability.
Recommendations on the monitoring and assessment of network capability in CP6, report by Arup, published 9 November 2018. We appointed Arup to provide recommendations on monitoring and reporting network capability in CP6.
Assessing Network Rail's delivery of network availability in CP6:
Report and slides by SNC-Lavalin, published 31 October 2018. We appointed SNC-Lavalin to provide recommendations for monitoring and assessing Network Rail's delivery of network availability in CP6. The objective of creating the network availability measure was to encourage Network Rail to reduce the levels of disruption to passenger and freight operators caused by planned engineering work. Its intention was to:
- provide a balance to the amount of engineering work related disruption Network Rail needs with the requirements of the users of train services; and
- incentivise Network Rail to maximise productivity during the time it has to do the work.
CP6 strategic business plan asset management excellence model (AMEM) assessment, report by ACML, published 31 October 2018. This report documents the findings of an independent assessment of Network Rail's asset management capability maturity. The assessment evaluated Network Rail's asset management capability maturity as of 9 February 2018 and compares it to regulatory asset management capability maturity targets previously agreed between ORR and Network Rail. This report also compares Network Rail's evaluated asset management capability maturity with previous assessments undertaken at the end of CP4 in 2014 and at the time of the CP6 Initial Industry Advice (IIA) in 2016. The assessment was undertaken by Asset Management Consulting Limited (ACML), the Independent Reporter for asset management, on behalf of ORR and Network Rail.
Evidence on top down and bottom up efficiency adjustments for Network Rail's CP6 maintenance and renewals, report by CEPA, published 31 October 2018. This report considers Network Rail's efficiencies in operations, maintenance and renewal costs in CP6. The report includes a top-down assessment drawing on case studies of transformational change in other industries; a high-level review of ORR's econometric benchmarking analysis at route and maintenance delivery unit level; and a bottom up review of efficiency in maintenance and renewals.
Network Rail strategic business plan property income forecast review, report by Cushman and Wakefield, published 6 July 2018. This report provides a specialist review of the property income forecasts included in Network Rail’s strategic business plans for England & Wales and Scotland.
Running stakeholder engagement: advice for Network Rail routes and the system operator, report by Steer Davies Gleave, published 5 July 2018. This document offers Steer Davies Gleave’s reflections on the engagement approaches adopted by the routes and the SO in their SBP planning, and maps out paths for continued improvements in engagement.
Central cost allocations to routes, report by CEPA, published 5 July 2018. This report considers and makes recommendation in relation to Network Rail’s approach for allocating central costs to the route businesses in general, and to the Scotland route in particular.
Renewals cost planning review, report by Gleeds, published 3 July 2018. The report considered the pre-efficient cost plans supporting the December 2017 Network Rail strategic business plans for control period 6 (CP6: 1 April 2019 - 31 March 2024). The purpose of the review was to answer the following three questions:
- Is there a robust process for cost planning across Network Rail?
- Has it been followed?
- Have the inputs into that process been developed in a robust way?
PR18 review of Network Rail efficiencies, report by Nichols, published 3 July 2018. The purpose of this report is to provide assurance to ORR the reasonableness of the efficiency and headwind elements of Network Rail's route strategic plans, and the framework they have been produced within.
ORR PR18 delivering planning review - summary, report by Nichols, published 3 July 2018. We commissioned Nichols (as Independent Reporter) to complete a study of Network Rail’s delivery assurance processes in the summer 2017. This was part of our activities prior to SBP submission, when Network Rail was developing its plans.
Assessment of the train performance trajectories in Network Rail's route strategic plans for PR18, report by Arup, published 14 June 2018. We appointed Arup (supported by Winder Phillips Associates) to evaluate the train performance trajectories stated in Network Rail’s Route Strategic Plans for PR18. We have also published slides relating to this report (relating to both phase 1 and phase 2 of the assessment).
Assessing the quality of Network Rail's routes'/System Operator's SBP stakeholder engagement, report by Steer Davies Gleave, published 14 June 2018. This report set out the findings of an independent, targeted survey, carried out by Steer Davies Gleave, of the routes’/the SO’s stakeholders. The survey gathered stakeholders’ views on the effectiveness of each of the routes’/the SO’s engagement during the preparation of their strategic plans. The survey included interviews with and questionnaires to a wide range of stakeholders.
Network Rail's approach to financial risk assessment, report by CEPA, published 14 June 2018. This report reviewed and commented on Network Rail’s approach to financial risk management in its strategic business planning for PR18.
Review of Network Rail System Operator CP6 processes and controls for investment decisions relating to capex spend, report by Nichols, published 14 June 2018. This report assessed the appropriateness of the SO’s processes and controls for managing its proposed capital investment programmes. It provided recommendations for the SO to implement in order to strengthen its programme controls in CP6.
The potential impact of increases in track access charges on the transport by rail of biomass, report by MDS Transmodal, published 12 June 2018. This report summarisesd analysis by MDST which looked at the impact of increases to rail charges for the carriage of biomass by rail.
Financial policy issues at PR18: Advice to the ORR, report by Europe Economics, published 31 March 2018. This is Europe Economics' report to ORR providing advice on some particular financial policy issues referred to in our first and second consultations on the financial framework for PR18. The report features sections covering: asset disposals; 'Cross-border' enhancements and rebate policy.
Research into passenger awareness of planned disruption, report by AECOM, published 18 December 2017. We commissioned AECOM to undertake research into passenger awareness of planned disruption.
PR18 SBP planning assurance: summary report, report by Nichols, published 25 October 2017. These reports reviewed Network Rail's strategic business planning process for control period 6 (CP6: 1 April 2019 - 31 March 2024). This was to provide assurance on Network Rail's progress in developing efficient plans for CP6, prior to the planned issue of the statement of funds available (SoFA) for England & Wales and Scotland in October 2017.
PR18 SBP planning assurance: Scotland route, report by Nichols, 25 October 2017. These reports reviewed Network Rail's strategic business planning process for control period 6 (CP6: 1 April 2019 - 31 March 2024). This was to provide assurance on Network Rail's progress in developing efficient plans for CP6, prior to the planned issue of the statement of funds available (SoFA) for England & Wales and Scotland in October 2017.
Market-can-bear analysis: Passenger services, report by CEPA and Systra, revised version published 16 November 2017. This report summarised analysis undertaken by our consultants around the market segmentation and ability to bear of different types of rail passenger services. This was a key input into ORR's work to set infrastructure cost charges for different types of services in CP6.
Market-can-bear analysis: Freight services, report by CEPA, published 9 October 2017. This report summarised analysis undertaken by our consultants around the market segmentation and ability to bear of different types of rail freight services. This was a key input into ORR's work to set infrastructure cost charges for different types of services in CP6.
Route performance measurement, report by SDG, published 27 July 2017. The objective of this report was to advise on and develop potential performance metrics to help ORR assess the contribution of Network Rail's routes to train performance, and to enable comparisons of performance both between routes and over time within a single route.
Availability output measure review, report by EE, published 27 July 2017. This report assesses the suitability of the network availability measures which Network Rail currently has in place and investigates potential alternatives’.
Infrastructure Management: Rail case studies, report by CEPA, published 16 June 2017. This report looked at case studies of different infrastructure models, in particular where certain responsibilities of Network Rail were taken over (or shared with) by other parties, or where there were proposals for this to happen. It was commissioned in 2014 to inform our early preparatory work for PR18.
Options for capacity measures and metrics, report by TRL, published 7 March 2017. The objective of this report was to find a set of measures that could provide both a means of tracking changes in the provision and use of the existing rail infrastructure capacity and a basis for incentivising Network Rail to increase capacity, whilst maintaining the right balance between capacity usage and performance.
PR18 legal notices
All legal notices issued as part of PR18 are available here, along with Network Rail’s CP6 price lists for track access charges.