Glossary and Useful Information

Department for Transport

Changes following the conclusion of the Rail Review, announced in January 2004, mean that the DfT will set the strategic direction for the railway in England and Wales, specifying funding and what high-level outputs it requires.

The DfT will also assume responsibility for the administration of the Company Neutral Revenue Support and Track Access grants, as well as Freight Facilities Grants on England (FFG is currently suspended).

www.dft.gov.uk

Freight Operating Companies:

Freight Operating Companies (FOCs) run freight trains on the rail network. At present there are four FOCs competing in the UK. These are: Direct Rail Services, EWS, Freightliner and GB Railfreight.

Grants

There are a three types of grants available to support the transfer of freight from road to rail  - Company Neutral Revenue Support, Track Access Grant, Freight Facilities Grant. For more information click here. <make a link to 'Government Support' above>.

Network Rail

Network Rail is a private not for profit company which operates and maintains the rail infrastructure in the UK.

www.networkrail.co.uk

Office of Rail Regulation

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) was established on 5 July 2004 by the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003. It replaces the Office of the Rail Regulator. 

As the railway industry's economic regulator, the Office's principal function is to regulate Network Rail's stewardship of the national network. The ORR also licenses operators of railway assets, approves agreements for access by operators to track, stations, and light maintenance depots, and enforces domestic competition law.

The ORR is led by a Board appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport, under the chairmanship of Chris Bolt.

www.rail-reg.gov.uk

Scottish Executive

Under the provisions of the Railways Bill the Scottish Executive will set the strategic direction for the railway in Scotland, specifying funding and what high-level outputs it requires.

The Scottish Executive administers Freight Facilities Grants for Scotland.

www.scotland.gov.uk

Strategic Rail Authority

The Strategic Rail Authority has been the public sector, strategic specifier of the railway. This involves setting the framework within which Network Rail and Train Companies deliver. It has been responsible for planning the rail system and franchising the train company contracts.
The SRA will be abolished under the Railways Bill, which is currently passing through the Houses of Parliament.

Until its abolition, the SRA will continue to administer the Company Neutral Revenue Support and Track Access grants, as well as Freight Facilities Grants for England (FFG is currently suspended).

www.sra.gov.uk

Welsh Assembly

The Welsh Assembly has responsibility for administering Freight Facilities Grants in Wales.

www.wales.gov.uk