Published 24 April 2025
On 17 March 2025, the Chancellor asked us to carry out a deep dive into the Rail Network Investment Framework with the supply chain to encourage direct investment into railway infrastructure. This work will support government plans to boost investment and drive economic growth across the UK.
Tell us your views
To help inform our deep dive, we are inviting feedback through a short survey aimed at the supply chain, private investors and developers, to be completed by 16 May 2025. We want to:
- understand how effective stakeholders find the current Investment Framework
- whether any barriers to investment exist
- how the Framework could be improved to better support investment in railway infrastructure
- whether you think there are any other relevant factors that we should take into account to encourage investment into railway infrastructure
Your insights will play a key role in shaping our recommendations and ensuring the Framework remains fit for purpose and helps to drive economic growth.
Respond to our survey
Please contact investmentframework@orr.gov.uk if you have any questions or would like any further information. The survey closes on 16 May 2025.
Timeline and next steps
Phase one of our deep dive will focus on reviewing the existing Framework to identify current challenges and areas for improvement. As part of this, we will be engaging directly with the supply chain and other investors to seek views, opinions and feedback.
We will publish our findings from phase one in June 2025.
About ORR’s Rail Network Investment Framework
ORR encourages investment in the rail network, supporting the Department for Transport, Transport Scotland and Network Rail’s ambition to make it easier for a wide range of investors (such as investment funds, scheme promoters and developers) to promote and deliver projects. We also ensure that there is a fair and reasonable balance of risk between investors and Network Rail.
Our key governance document on investment into the rail network is the Rail Network Investment Framework (the Framework), which was originally published in 2006 and last updated in 2022. It contains policy and guidelines that set out the legislation and processes for anyone who wishes to invest in rail infrastructure, including the role of respective parties and remedies for any issues that may arise.