Network Rail’s spending plans for Control Period 7, which begins in April, have been given the green light by the Office of Rail and Road. The budget of ?43.1 billion consists of ?38.5 billion for England and Wales, and ?4.6 billion for Scotland. Network Rail has changed some of its proposals since the ORR issued its draft determination in June. Among the revisions is an additional ?600 million for safeguarding its infrastructure, which is ageing and under threat, as well as improving safety and performance. The ORR said ‘targets are more challenging than originally proposed by Network Rail but are realistic’. Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines responded that the announcement gives ‘clarity and certainty’.
