Economic regulation

The 2008 Periodic Review (PR08) set the outputs that Network Rail must deliver, and the level of access charges paid by train operators for use of the infrastructure from 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2014, or control period 4 (CP4).

How we'll monitor Network Rail 2014-2019

The decisions we've made will help the railway to grow in a sustainable way which minimises the costs to taxpayers, passengers and freight customers.

The assessment of the scope for Network Rail to improve on its cost efficiency is central to our work, since it enables us to establish efficient levels of track access charges when we periodically review Network Rail's outputs as part of a balanced package.

The initial industry plans On September 2011, Network Rail with its industry partners published two ' initial industry plans' (IIPs) – one for England & Wales and one for Scotland. These set out the industry's strategies in England & Wales and Scotland for the long-term, with a focus on what could be delivered in the next control period (CP5). Our analysis of the IIPs was a key component of our