High Speed 1 to be regulated by the Office of Rail Regulation

From the ORR web site:
http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.9851

Regulator sets out approach for an efficient and high-performing HS1

30 October 2009
ORR/22/09

The UK’s first high-speed line, High Speed 1 (HS1), will be regulated
to ensure that it is efficient and high-performing, the Office of Rail
Regulation (ORR) announced today.

In October this year ORR was given new responsibilities by the
government for HS1 - the rail link between London St. Pancras and the
Channel Tunnel - to ensure that the operation of the high speed line
would be subject to normal regulatory supervision.

Following industry consultation ORR expects that the new HS1
regulatory model will follow the way in which ORR regulates the
national network with due recognition of the differences between HS1
and the national network, and HS1 Limited and Network Rail.

The new regulation of HS1 will be underpinned by:

* pre-approval of track access by train operators to use the line;
* a periodic review every five years of the track access,
maintenance and renewal charges; and
* oversight of the effective stewardship of the network by HS1
Limited. This requires the company to secure the operation,
maintenance, renewal, and replacement of the railway infrastructure in
accordance with industry best practice.

Bill Emery, ORR chief executive, said:

“The UK’s first high speed line must provide a service which is safe,
meets the needs of rail users and also gives value for money.

“We are committed to supporting international and domestic passenger
services, and also using the full potential for freight services.

“We will  work with neighbouring regulators and infrastructure
managers to develop the Channel Tunnel corridor as a whole, and
through our role in regulating the national network and HS1, we expect
operators to make the best use of the capacity that is available.”

END QUOTE

Whole article, including Notes to Editors:
http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.9851

Official statement (HTML and .pdf versions):
http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.9825
http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/hs1-regulation-orr-statement-301009.pdf
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