Paragraph 104 I1
England and Wales
The undertaker must before commencing construction of any specified work supply to Network Rail proper and sufficient plans of that work for the reasonable approval of the engineer and the specified work must not be commenced except in accordance with such plans as have been approved in writing by the engineer or settled by arbitration under article 45 (arbitration).
The approval of the engineer under sub-paragraph 5(1) must not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, and if after 28 days beginning with the date on which such plans have been supplied to Network Rail the engineer has not communicated disapproval of those plans and the grounds of disapproval—
the undertaker may serve on the engineer written notice requiring the engineer to communicate approval or disapproval within a further period of 28 days beginning with the date on which the engineer receives written notice from the undertaker; and
if by the expiry of the further 28 days the engineer has not communicated approval or disapproval, the engineer is deemed to have approved the plans as supplied.
If after the expiry of 28 days beginning with the date on which written notice was served on the engineer under sub-paragraph 5(2), Network Rail gives notice to the undertaker that Network Rail desires itself to construct any part of a specified work which in the opinion of the engineer will or may affect the stability of railway property or the safe operation of traffic on the railways of Network Rail then, if the undertaker desires such part of the specified work to be constructed, Network Rail must construct it without unreasonable delay on behalf of and to the reasonable satisfaction of the undertaker in accordance with the plans approved or deemed to be approved or settled under this paragraph, and under the supervision (where appropriate and if given) of the undertaker.
When signifying approval of the plans the engineer may specify any protective works (whether temporary or permanent) which in the engineer’s reasonable opinion should be carried out before the commencement of the construction of a specified work to ensure the safety or stability of railway property or the continuation of safe and efficient operation of the railways of Network Rail or the services of operators using the same (including any relocation, decommissioning and removal of works, apparatus and equipment necessitated by a specified work and the comfort and safety of passengers who may be affected by the specified works), and—
such protective works as may be reasonably necessary for those purposes must be constructed by Network Rail or by the undertaker, if Network Rail so desires, and such protective works must be carried out at the expense of the undertaker, in either case without unreasonable delay; and
the undertaker must not commence the construction of the specified works in question until the engineer has notified the undertaker that the protective works have been completed to the engineer’s reasonable satisfaction.
Any specified works and any protective works to be constructed by virtue of paragraph 104(4) must, when commenced, be constructed—
without unnecessary delay in accordance with the plans approved or deemed to have been approved or settled under paragraph F1104;
under the supervision (where appropriate and if given) and to the reasonable satisfaction of the engineer;
in such manner as to cause as little damage as is possible to railway property; and
so far as is reasonably practicable, so as not to interfere with or obstruct the free, uninterrupted and safe use of any railway of Network Rail or the traffic on it and the use by passengers of railway property.
If any damage to railway property or any interference or obstruction referred to in sub-paragraph 5(5)(d) is caused by the carrying out of, or in consequence of, the construction of a specified work, the undertaker must, regardless of any approval, make good such damage and must pay to Network Rail all reasonable expenses to which Network Rail may be put and compensation for any loss which it may sustain by reason of any such damage, interference or obstruction.
Nothing in this Part imposes any liability on the undertaker with respect to any damage, costs, expenses or loss attributable to the negligence of Network Rail or its employees, contractors or agents or any liability on Network Rail with respect to any damage, costs, expenses or loss attributable to the negligence of the undertaker or its employees, contractors or agents.
Annotations
Textual amendments
- F1
Word in Sch. 10 para. 104(5)(a) substituted (24.10.2025) by The Mona Offshore Wind Farm (Correction) Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/1123), art. 1, Sch.
Commencement
- I1
Sch. 10 para. 104 in force at 28.7.2025, see art. 1