Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to undertake a review of the restrictions on (a) access to the rail network and (b) the ability to stop at specific stations applicable to open access train operators.

Access to the rail network is a matter for the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) in its role as independent regulator for the rail industry. The ORR will continue to play a central role in ensuring industry processes and applications for track access are treated fairly and transparently going forward. The ORR’s role includes approving access contracts and access appeals in relation to open access operators. The ORR works with Network Rail to assess suitability of proposed station stops, and decisions are made on the basis of available capacity. The Government remains committed to exploring the scope for open access where spare capacity exists to make best use of the network and grow new markets for rail.