ORR consults on proposal to introduce freight customer access contracts

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has published a consultation paper setting out its proposal to introduce a model freight customer access contract.

Specifically, ORR is proposing a contractual framework under which freight customers can secure track access rights from Network Rail, and subsequently exercise those rights by drawing them down into a freight operator's track access contract with Network Rail.

This proposal is designed to facilitate freight customers holding and having direct control over their track access rights. It is likely to be of interest to a wide variety of freight customers including logistics companies, port and terminal operators, power stations, providers of bulk goods (e.g. coal), retailers, and major contractors.

The deadline for comments is 18 November 2009.

Wragge & Co's experts provide a more detailed analysis of ORR's proposal.