Code of Practice
Our Code of Practice describes how we will deal with existing customers on station access agreements and the granting of leases for stations and depots.
Station Access for Operators
Network Rail is the landlord of virtually all the stations on the national network, irrespective of whether we manage the stations or they are leased to train operating companies.
World-class stations
Network Rail owns and manages some of the biggest and busiest railway stations in Britain. Each year, over 650 million people visit our 18 Managed Stations (sometimes referred to as Major or Independent Stations). We have been investing millions of pounds to transform these stations into world-class travel facilities
At Managed Stations, Network Rail is the Station Facility Owner (SFO). The SFO provides the day-to-day management of all the facilities available at the station.
You need an access agreement
An access agreement is required by any train operating company that wishes to call at the station, whether to load or unload passengers or to use the station facilities for any other reason. This applies equally to new access agreements or to the expansion or extension of existing access agreements.
Network Rail may also grant leases to train operators for them to manage its stations and light maintenance depots. To identify the train operator that manages a specific station, you can search on Station Facilities.
Read more about Network Rail’s ambitious station development programme.