This section includes information about the current 2023 periodic review (PR23) of Network Rail's outputs and funding for
control period 7 (2024 – 2029).
Periodic reviews are one of the principal mechanisms by which ORR holds Network Rail to account, and secures value for money for users and funders of the railway.
PR23 will determine what Network Rail must deliver in control period 7 (CP7) and the funding it requires to do this.
On 17 June 2021 we published an open letter to launch PR23 and set out the focus of PR23 – namely safety, performance, asset sustainability, and efficiency.
We published our periodic review 2023: draft determination on 15 June 2023 and the deadline for consultation responses was 31 August 2023.
PR23 timeline
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We have produced an infographic reflecting the PR23 timeline. The timeline is also available in table format below.
Phase 1 (2022)
- Network Rail develops initial view of CP7 funding and outputs
- ORR advises funders to inform HLOSs/SOFAs
- DfT and Transport Scotland produce HLOSs & SOFAs
Phase 2 (2023)
- ORR scrutiny of Network Rail’s detailed CP7 plans
- ORR draft and final determination
Phase 3 (2024)
- Implementation
| Period | Milestones |
|---|---|
| April to June 2021 | We published PR23 launch letter (17 June 2021) We published Schedule 8 consultation (17 June 2021) |
| July to September 2021 | We published access charges consultation (15 July 2021) We published Schedule 4 consultation (30 September 2021) |
| January to March 2022 | Network Rail provided initial submission We published guidance on how NR’s funding and outputs are determined |
| April to June 2022 | We published charges and incentives consultations We provided advice to funders We published review initiation notices We provided first set of supplementary advice to DfT |
| July to September 2022 | We published policy framework consultation We published technical consultation on success measures We published our guidance to Network Rail on the preparation of its Strategic Business Plan We provided second set of supplementary advice to DfT We provided first set of supplementary advice to Scottish Ministers We provided second set of supplementary advice to Scottish Ministers |
| October to December 2022 | We concluded on charges and incentives frameworks for PR23 Secretary of State provided HLOS and SoFA We published financial framework consultation We published policy framework decisions We published extension to review initiation notice for Scotland We published our ‘Conclusion of Phase 1’ update letter |
| January to March 2023 | Scottish Ministers provided their HLOS and SoFA Network Rail provided its Strategic Business Plan (SBP) for England and Wales and interim SBP for Scotland |
| April to June 2023 | We published holding Network Rail to account policy consultation Network Rail published its Strategic Business Plan (SBP) We published our draft determination for England & Wales and Scotland |
| July to September 2023 | We consult on changes to access contracts We update on open access airport services |
| October to December 2023 | We publish our final determination for England & Wales and Scotland We issue Delivery Plan Notice We issue Review Notices |
| January to March 2024 | We conclude on changes to access contracts We serve Notices of Agreement to all affected parties We serve Review Implementation Notices Network Rail publishes CP7 delivery plan |
| April to June 2024 | Start of CP7 |
PR23 publications
All our PR23 publications, including consultations, notices and reports.
PR23 charges and incentives
Publications and information relating to charges and incentives for PR23.
PR23 legal notices
All our PR23 legal notices.