As part of the control period 7 (CP7) passenger train performance reset (CP7 reset), we seek views on the passenger train performance targets proposed for monitoring and holding Network Rail to account in years 3 to 5 of the control period.
Who should respond to this consultation?
This consultation will be of interest to:
- current and aspirant open access operators
- rail funders and service specifiers
- publicly funded (franchised) operators
- infrastructure managers
We also welcome views from other interested parties such as:
- current or potential investors in open access services
- local and regional government
- consumer/passenger groups
The performance of Great Britain’s railways is a priority for passengers and freight users who want reliable and punctual services.
Improving punctuality and reliability of the railway is a whole industry challenge and no single party can deliver good performance in isolation.
CP7 reset
We set measures and targets for passenger train performance for the first two years of CP7 – April 2024 to March 2026 – in our Periodic Review 2023 (PR23) final determination.
We set indicative targets for the final three years of CP7. We included a process to reset measures and target after the second year given some of the challenges of forecasting performance in the medium term.
We are consulting on the passenger train performance targets that we will use to monitor and hold Network Rail to account in the final three years of CP7.
What we are consulting on
Our aim with the train performance reset is to set ambitious yet realistic targets in England and Wales, as required by the terms of the UK Government’s high-level output specification (HLOS). Network Rail’s forecasts would broadly hold punctuality at current levels and reduce cancellations. We acknowledge the work that Network Rail has undertaken in developing its plans in collaboration with industry and we consider the forecasts are a credible basis for consultation. We recognise Network Rail’s plans will continue to evolve, and there are certain aspects of the plans (in certain regions) which we expect the company to review before it provides its updated forecasts to us in September 2025.
The Scotland train performance measure is the primary punctuality measure for monitoring and holding Network Rail Scotland to account. As a specific requirement in the Scottish Ministers’ HLOS this is not in scope for the reset and there is no change from the 92.5% target set for each year of the control period. We are also proposing no changes to Network Rail’s proposed Scotland Cancellations and Network Rail delay targets, which remain consistent with our PR23 final determination and Network Rail’s CP7 delivery plan respectively.
We will continue to proactively hold the company to account against its train performance targets and, where necessary, take action to drive improvement.
How to submit your response
Please submit your response by 5pm on Friday 5 September 2025. You can choose to:
Send an email to prm@orr.gov.uk.
Write to us at:
ORR consultation: CP7 reset - consultation on targets for 2026 to 2029
Office of Rail and Road
25 Cabot Square
London, E14 4QZ
We ask that, wherever possible, you submit your response via email.
We have made available a consultation proforma which we invite you to use.
Accessible formats
ORR has actively considered the needs of blind and partially sighted people in accessing documents in PDF format. Individuals and organisations can use free Adobe Reader accessibility features or screen readers to read the contents of this document. If you need this document in a different format such as large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, please contact our Public Correspondence Team via:
- email: webteam@orr.gov.uk
- telephone: 020 7282 2000 [select option 3]
- postal address:
Public Correspondence Team
Office of Rail and Road
25 Cabot Square
London
E14 4QZ
We will consider your request and will endeavour to get back to you with the accessible format within 10 working days.
Publishing your response Collapse accordion Open accordion
We plan to publish all responses to this consultation on our website.
If you want any information in your response to be treated as confidential, please state this clearly and explain the reasons why, for us to consider. If your response does contain information you would like to be treated as confidential, please include it separately where possible or provide a summary that does not contain confidential details so that we can publish the non-confidential parts.
Please be aware that all information sent to us may still be subject to disclosure in accordance with the information access rights granted by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR).
If we receive a request for the disclosure of information you have sent us that we have not published, we will aim to contact you so that we can take your views into account, but we cannot give an assurance that confidentiality can be maintained in all circumstances. An automatic confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system will not, of itself, be regarded as binding on ORR.
Use of your personal data
The legal basis for processing your personal data is that it is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the exercise of an official function vested in ORR.
Any personal data you provide to us will be used for the purposes of this consultation and will be handled in accordance with our privacy notice which sets out how we comply with the UK GDPR and the DPA.
We will publish your consultation response, withholding or redacting confidential information where appropriate. We will not publish your personal data.
ORR staff may have access to your information for the duration of the consultation process. This will be no longer than a year’s duration and all information submitted in response to a consultation which has not been published on our website, will be deleted.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
We may use AI to analyse consultation responses and identify key themes. Your name and contact details will be removed prior to the use of AI. The data will not be used to train or improve third party AI models and will remain under the control of ORR.