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Train Operating Companies: Contracts

Asked by Mr Richard HoldenConservativeDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 18 November 2025UIN 88878

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether existing rail track access rights will (a) remain and (b) be unfettered by the introduction of (i) the Railways Bill and (ii) policies thereunder.

Answered by Keir Mather

The Government has committed to honouring existing access rights. As existing contracts expire, operators will move on to new GBR model access contracts. There will be a need to make technical amendments to existing contracts to ensure that they continue to work effectively following GBR stand up and the Government has included a power for the Secretary of State to make such amendments as required.

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