11.09.15
Deadline day for Network Rail representations on licence breach fine
Network Rail has until the close of business today (11 September) to make representations or objections to the ORR after the regulator proposed a £2m fine for Network Rail for breaching its licence due to poor performance on Southern, Govia Thameslink (GTR) and in Scotland in 2014-15.
The infrastructure owner was originally given a deadline of 1 September 2015 to make the representations, but in late August was given an extension until today.
Network Rail asked for an extension after discussions between its head of network operations, Phil Hufton, and the ORR’s Nigel Fisher on whether Network Rail could make an offer of reparations for affected passengers, instead of paying the fine, were “curtailed” on 21 August by an “operational incident”.
The letter from Network Rail’s group strategy director Paul Plummer said the extension would allow the company to “identify potential schemes that may derive appropriate passenger benefits”.
In granting the extension, Alan Price, the ORR’s director of railway planning and performance, said: “Following receipt of any representations we will consider what recommendations to make to our Board on finalising the proposed penalty.”
The ORR Board meeting is expected to take place in the week beginning 21 September.