The Railways (Interoperability) (High-Speed) Regulations 2002
These Regulations implement in relation to the whole of the United Kingdom, Council Directive 96/48/EC of 23rd July 1996 on the interoperability of the trans-European high-speed rail system (O.J. No. L235, 17.9.97, p.6 as corrected by O.J. 1262, 16.10.96. p.18). The purpose of that Directive is to bring about the inter-working (interoperability) of rolling stock on the trans-European high-speed rail system and, in particular to introduce common standards of construction across the EC. The Regulations apply to the United Kingdom lines on the high-speed trans-European rail system (“the rail network schemes”).