Protecting the environment is a key part of how we operate at Network Rail. To do our jobs responsibly and legally, we need the right environmental permits, licences, or consents – which are known as PLCs.

Why PLCs matter

PLCs are official regulatory approvals that allow us to do things like manage waste, work near water, protect heritage sites, and safeguard wildlife. They help to:

• Protect nature and local communities
• Avoid pollution and environmental damage
• Stay compliant with UK environmental laws
• Keep railway projects running smoothly and safely

A single breach of a PLC can have serious consequences – not just for the environment, but for our reputation and ability to operate.

Types of PLCs we use

We work across a wide range of environments, so the types of PLCs we need vary. These include:

• Waste: e.g. permits for transporting or storing waste
• Water: e.g. licences for working near rivers or discharging water
• Heritage/Archaeology: e.g. consents for work near protected sites
• Air/Emissions: e.g. permits for dust or noise control
• Biodiversity/Ecology: e.g. licences to protect species and habitats
• Landowner Consents: e.g. permission to access or work on private land

How we manage PLCs

To stay compliant, we:

• Keep a record of every PLC: who owns it, when it expires, and what it covers
• Track expiry dates: to renew or update PLCs in time
• Maintain local registers: each route and region is responsible for managing their own PLCs
• Share updates centrally: local registers are sent to the Environment and Sustainability team to be included in a national register

This helps us stay organised, avoid delays, and ensure we’re always working within the law.

Need more information?

If you’re applying for a PLC or want to know more about how they work, look at our Environmental Permits, Licences and Consents Guidance Note (PDF).

For information on Delegation of Authority for PLCs see the Delegation of Authority page.

If you’re applying for a PLC or want to know more about how they work, look at our Environmental Permits, Licences and Consents Guidance note on the Guidance notes page.

For help accessing the central PLC register or if you have any questions please use the Contact Us form.