This is a busy time for the ORR, as we reach the key analytical phase of our periodic review of Network Rail (PR18).
Our PR18 team has received Network Rail’s Strategic Business Plans and are scrutinising the detail of how Network Rail will operate, maintain and renew the network over the next control period. Also, we will shortly publish a consultation on our approach for assessing the overall efficiency framework over the next five years.
Meanwhile, our annual business planning workshops with stakeholders will take place in February, and for the first time we are also organising sessions in Birmingham on 13th February and Manchester on 15 February to ensure the views of our regional stakeholders are represented. Finally, we are soon to launch our annual stakeholder survey, asking for views on ORR’s activities and performance over year just past.
This month, we were also proud to support the Samaritan’s ‘Brew Monday’ event encouraging colleagues to get together and chat at an event in our office. Our safety teams work closely with the Samaritans, including their Small Talk Saves Lives campaign with Network Rail and the rail industry, whose efforts to help people find a way through their problems are invaluable. You can find more information on the work of the Samaritans here.
Joanna Whittington
Chief Executive
Top stories
Croydon tram safety summit
ORR hosted a meeting of key organisations within the UK’s Tram and Light Rail industry to help agree an action plan to take forward the Rail Accident Investigation Branch’s recommendations arising from their investigation of the Croydon Tram Crash of November 2016.
This meeting was an important first step in addressing the recommendations, and ORR will continue to support the industry in bringing about necessary changes to improve the safety of passengers and staff.
Rail Statistics
ORR is responsible for publishing key statistical data on the railways. This month, we published our annual rail funding report, which sets out a summary of how the rail industry is funded, and how that money is spent. The key facts are available here.
Ashley Goddard from ORR’s Information and Analysis team also blogged on the information we publish on rolling stock in Great Britain, including a detailed look at the changes in the average age of rolling stock.
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