Network statements

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A network statement is an annual publication that each major UK network operator must produce by law.

Key facts

Network statements need to be produced in accordance with The Railway (Access, Management and Licensing of Railway Undertakings) Regulations 2016

Those regulations implement the EU railway Directive 2012/34/EU, which has the aim of creating a more efficient rail network across the EU by stimulating greater competition.

Network statements help to achieve that aim by presenting all the information that potential applicants for network access need to know in order to request capacity on other networks. 

Each network statement should provide, for the infrastructure concerned, a single source of up-to-date and relevant information. It must include information on access to, and the charges for, the supply of service facilities.

Network statements are produced by each qualifying railway infrastructure manager in the UK.

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Our role

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Through the legislation above, we have the requirement to 'control' the detail in the network statements produced by each UK infrastructure manager (IM), and we need to be satisfied that network statements meet the information requirements of those regulations. 

If we consider that the information in any network statement does not meet the requirements of the Directive, ORR has the power to direct the IM to address any deficiency.  

UK networks at a glance

Core Valley Lines

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Infrastructure manager: Amey Keolis Infrastructure / Seilwaith Amey Keolis Limited

Network and scale/context

The Core Valley Lines (CVL) network has about 210km of track, 12km of which is freight-only, and 55 stations.

Traffic: 1 Public Service Passenger Operator, 1 Passenger Charter Operator and 4 Freight Operators. 

The CVL was transferred from Network Rail to Transport for Wales on 28 March 2020.  It covers the valleys north of Cardiff, which connect various communities to the Welsh capital. 

It connects to the Network Rail network at two separate connection points: to the north of Cardiff Central Station; and to the north of Ninian Park Station.

Further information

Crossrail Central Operating Section

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Infrastructure manager: Rail for London (Infrastructure) Ltd.

Network and scale/context

The CCOS is some 42km, mainly tunnels, through London, with 10 stations.

Traffic: 1 Passenger train operator; no Freight train operators.

Infrastructure manager is Rail for London (Infrastructure) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Transport for London (TfL) and is jointly sponsored by TfL and the Department for Transport (DfT). 

Connects with NR network at Paddington (in the west) and Pudding Mill Lane Jn and Abbey Wood (both in the east).

Further information

Heathrow Spur

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Infrastructure manager: Heathrow Airport Limited

Network and scale/context

The Heathrow Spur was built by Heathrow Airport Limited, with construction beginning in 1993 and the link opening in 1998. The Heathrow Spur is an 8.6km stretch of railway infrastructure linking Heathrow Airport to the Great Western Main Line and Paddington to provide rail services to Heathrow airport directly from London.

Further information

Channel Tunnel Rail Link

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Infrastructure manager: HS1 Limited

Network and scale/context

HS1 is the 108km high-speed railway linking London with the Channel Tunnel. HS1 runs from the Eurotunnel interface at the UK end of the Channel Tunnel at Cheriton, to St Pancras International Station.

Further information

GB Network: Network Rail

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Infrastructure manager: Network Rail Infrastructure Limited

Network and scale/context

Approximately 15,500 route-km, serving some 2,500 stations.

Traffic: 22 Passenger train operators; 7 Freight train operators.

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited owns, operates, maintains and develops the main rail network in Great Britain. This includes the railway tracks, signalling and electrification systems, bridges, tunnels, level crossings and viaducts.

Further information

Northern Ireland

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Infrastructure manager: NIR Networks Limited

Network and scale/context

Approximately 300 route-km of network, serving 40 stations and halts.

Traffic: 3 Passenger train operators; no freight train operators. There is no freight traffic in Northern Ireland or Eire.

Connects with Eire’s passenger train operator, Iarnród Éireann, through the Belfast-Dublin, Enterprise service, and occasional Belmond Grand Hibernian charters, from Belmond Limited.

Further information

Channel Tunnel

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Infrastructure manager: Eurotunnel

Network and scale/context

Eurotunnel is the concessionaire of the Channel Fixed Link, and is owned by group Getlink SE. Eurotunnel manages and operates the infrastructure of the Channel Fixed Link, known as the Channel Tunnel, between England and France. Eurotunnel makes available paths to licensed train operators. 

The rail infrastructure comprises two rail tunnels as well as continental main lines linking the tunnels to the two points of entry into the Concession. The length of each tunnel is approximately 50km, 37km of which is under the sea, bored at an average 40m below the sea bed. They link Folkestone (Kent) to Coquelles (Pas-de-Calais).

Further information