§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many examinations by the railway regulator into track access charges and train leasing costs have been made; when he expects the regulator to report; and if the regulator's conclusions will be placed in the Library.
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§ Mr. WattsThe rail regulator informs me that his office is nearing completion of a review of Railtrack's track access charges for both franchised passenger services and freight services. Consultation papers, "Framework for the Approval of Railtrack's Track Access Charges for Franchised Passenger Services" and "Framework for the Approval of Railtrack's Track Access Charges for Freight Services", were published by the office in June and October respectively. A policy statement, "Railtrack's Track Access Charges for Franchised Passenger Services: Developing the Structure of Charges", was published in November. Copies of all these documents have been placed in the Library of the House. The regulator intends to publish final policy statements on the levels of passenger and freight access charges in January.
The regulator has not undertaken any examination of train leasing costs, which are not subject to his approval.