The Railway (Licensing of Railway Undertakings) Regulations 2005

Appointment of licensing authority and grant of European licences

6.—(1) The ORR is designated as the body responsible for granting European licences.

(2) The ORR shall determine and publish on its website the procedures for the granting of European licences and inform the Commission of those procedures.

(3) Subject to and in accordance with these Regulations, the ORR shall grant a European licence to a railway undertaking if that undertaking—

(a) is established in Great Britain, and

(b) makes an application to the ORR in accordance with the published procedures.

(4) A European licence may authorise the provision of train services generally or be restricted to particular types of service specified in the licence.

(5) An applicant shall submit with his application such application fee as the ORR may reasonably require and such information, specified in the published procedures referred to in paragraph (3)(b), as the ORR reasonably requires in order to be satisfied that the applicant satisfies the requirements referred to in Schedule 2.

(6) At any time after submitting the application the applicant shall submit such further information as the ORR may reasonably require in connection with the application.

(7) The ORR shall grant a European licence if, and only if, it is satisfied before the start of the applicant’s activities that the applicant will be able at any time to satisfy the requirements referred to in Schedule 2 as to good repute, financial fitness, professional competence and insurance cover for civil liabilities.

(8) An application for a European licence shall be determined by the ORR as soon as possible and in any event within three months of receipt of all the information referred to in paragraphs (5) and (6).

(9) In respect of each application for a European licence the ORR shall give notice stating—

(a) that the applicant has made an application for a European licence;

(b) the name of the applicant and the address of its registered or principal office; and

(c) a summary of the activities which the applicant wishes to carry out pursuant to the European licence.

(10) A notice under paragraph (9) shall be given by publishing the notice in such manner as the ORR considers appropriate for bringing it to the attention of persons likely to be affected by the grant of the European licence.

(11) The ORR shall inform the applicant of its decision and, where it refuses to grant a European licence, the refusal shall state the reasons for its decision.

(12) When the ORR grants a European licence in accordance with this regulation it shall forthwith inform the European Commission of the grant.

(13) Any sums received by the ORR under this regulation shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

(14) Schedule 2 (qualifications for European licence) shall have effect.