Rail

Despite the rail sector being governed by a complex regulatory framework, we have been at the cutting edge of the planning and statutory authorisation of virtually every contemporary railway in the UK. As such, our specialist knowledge and commercial insight into the rail sector is unparalleled.

As the market leading firm of parliamentary agents, we can provide the full service support you may need to either promote, or object to, a rail scheme.

We can help you with:

  • securing the necessary statutory powers for the authorisation of rail schemes
  • Railways Act and related regulatory issues and procedures
  • franchise agreements
  • track access
  • competition
  • planning/public inquiry, environmental and highways issues
  • commercial and property agreements (e.g. concession agreements)
  • public procurement

New regime for Railway and Rail Freight Interchange Development

By 1 March 2010 a radical new regime will be in place under the Planning Act 2008 in England and Wales for seeking permission for nationally significant infrastructure projects. That regime will cover the construction or alteration of any railway in England which is not permitted development and forms part of a network 'operated by an approved operator'. Certain rail freight interchanges in England will also be caught by the new regime and it will no longer be possible to authorise such projects by means of a planning permission.

Planning Act 2008 Guide

Bircham Dyson Bell, in conjunction with Butterworths, have produced a unique Practical Guide to National Infrastructure Projects to provide both promoters and objectors and their advisers with a user-friendly, practical, step-by-step explanation of the new regime. It includes detailed guidance on the issues which arise during the development of major projects such as new railways and strategic rail freight interchanges, in particular in relation to national policy statements, environmental impact assessment, consultation and the management of objections.

Please click here to order the Practical Guide to National Infrastructure Projects.

To learn more about the services we offer, please click here.