ORR also regulates High Speed 1, the Channel Tunnel, and also acts as the appeal body, controls the network statement and monitors the competitive situation of rail services in Northern Ireland.

It became the Office of Rail and Road on 1 April 2015 following ORR's appointment as Monitor for National Highways under the Infrastructure Act 2015.

[7] ORR then holds Network Rail to account against the delivery, performance and service levels set out in its final determination.

ORR is concerned with the regulation of Network Rail as the monopoly owner of much of Britain's railway infrastructure.

These require that ORR must exercise its functions in the way it considers most likely to promote the performance and efficiency of National Highways.

All members of the ORR board are appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport for a fixed term of up to five years.

ORR employs approximately 350 people, with offices in London, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Manchester and York.