After section 41 of the M3London Regional Transport Act 1984 there shall be inserted—

“ Railway access contracts

41A Access contracts under the Railways Act 1993.

(1)

Where it considers that to do so is best calculated to meet any need relating to transport in or around, or to or from, Greater London, London Regional Transport may enter into an access contract to which section 18 of the M4Railways Act 1993 applies, notwithstanding—

(a)

that such a contract can only be entered into on terms approved (with or without modification) by the F1Office of Rail Regulation and pursuant to directions given by the F1Office of Rail Regulation under that section; and

(b)

that the terms of the contract may confer on the F1Office of Rail Regulation powers to determine the manner in which London Regional Transport is to exercise its functions in relation to the contract.

(2)

The duties imposed on London Regional Transport by sections 2 and 8 of this Act accordingly also have effect subject, as respects the power conferred by subsection (1) above, to the powers of the F1Office of Rail Regulation under section 18 of the M5Railways Act 1993.”

In section 4 of the M6Railways Act 1993 (general duties of the Secretary of State and the F1Office of Rail Regulation ) in subsection (5) (which imposes additional duties on the F1Office of Rail Regulation ) the word and immediately preceding paragraph (c) shall be omitted and at the end of that paragraph there shall be added“; and

(d)

to have regard to the ability of the Mayor of London, London Regional Transport and Transport for London to carry out the functions conferred or imposed on them by or under any enactment”.