Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order provides for the grant of exemptions from the licensing, access, franchising and closure provisions of the Railways Act 1993 (“the Act”) in respect of the proposed new railway between the Great Western Main Line and Heathrow Airport, and associated stations and light maintenance depots at Heathrow.
Article 2 provides for the grant of a licence exemption in respect of the proposed networks, stations and light maintenance depots, and any train being used on the networks.
Article 3 provides for the grant of an exemption from sections 17 and 18 of the Act (access to railway facilities) in respect of track comprised in the proposed networks and in respect of the stations and light maintenance depots.
Article 4 provides for the grant of an exemption from section 23(1) of the Act (designation of railway passenger services as eligible for franchising) in respect of any service provided on any line comprised in the exempt networks.
The exemptions contained in articles 2, 3 and 4 are to continue in force until thirty years after the commencement of the first service between Paddington Station and the new stations at Heathrow.
Article 5 provides that sections 39 and 41 of the Act (closure of operational passenger networks and facilities) are not to apply in relation to the proposed networks, stations or light maintenance depots.