ORR to lower rail fees for third parties and investors

ORR to lower rail fees for third parties and investors Fri, 05/06/2026 - 09:30 5 June 2026 The rail regulator will cut the cost of investing in Britain's railways by lowering the risk fees Network Rail charges to third parties and private investors, as part of wider work to support economic growth. Cover Image Image Body Components Network Rail charges fees to cover the risks it takes on when a third-party, including private investors, funds or delivers work on the rail network. The Office of Rail and Road’s (ORR) deep dive review found that there is scope to reduce fees to ensure the risk fee funds are set closer to the break-even level. ORR will work with Network Rail to make targeted adjustments. The risk fee adjustments follow ORR’s review of the Rail Network Investment Framework (RNIF), carried out at the request of HM Treasury to encourage direct private investment in rail infrastructure. Fee reductions are part of a package of changes intended to make the framework clearer, fairer and more proportionate, while keeping the right protections in place for the railway and taxpayers. ORR is working with Network Rail and will set out in detail how the fees will be adjusted in autu