Independent reporters provide professional advice to the ORR on the quality of Network Rail's service provision, as specified in its licence.
Network Rail's network licence includes a condition providing for independent experts (reporters) to be appointed by the network operator (Network Rail), with our approval.
Independent reporters assess Network Rail's performance across a range of functions including asset management and operational delivery, programme and project management and data quality. They may also be called on to provide assessment of Network Rail’s compliance with its wider network licence obligations.
Six reporters were appointed to a single framework from February 2020:
- Arup
- Nichols
- AMCL
- GHD
- Steer
- Jacobs
Previous arrangements with independent reporters covered asset management (Lot 1), enhancements (Lot 2), data quality (Lot 3) and outputs delivery (Lot 4).
Independent reporter reports commissioned as part of the 2018 periodic review (PR18) are available on our draft/final determination web pages.
Capacity allocation independent report
Network Rail's network licence includes a condition providing for independent experts (reporters) to be appointed by the network operator (Network Rail), to provide ORR with advice on different aspects of Network Rail’s performance.
The independent reporters support our monitoring of industry access rights applications by reviewing the capability and governance of how Network Rail discharges its duties in relation to the Capacity Allocation Process (CAP) set out in the Network Licence and the Guidance on the Railways (Access, Management and Licensing of Railway Undertakings) Regulations 2016.