Publications

Here you'll find all our publications, reports, determinations and statements. 
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New General Approval and guidance for freight facility access contracts

21 July 2017
Consultation outcome Our conclusions letter sets out a high-level summary of the changes from the previous General Approval (GA), the consultation questions asked, a summary of the responses received, our comments, and any actions that we have taken or will take in response. Conclusions letter Published 19 February 2018 General Approval for freight facility access agreements 2018 Published 19

Witness information leaflet - how we investigate incidents

15 June 2017
Leaflet for those asked to be a witness for the ORR, intended to answer any questions you might have and provide guidance on why we conduct investigations, how we gather information and evidence, and how you might be asked to help.

Advice and guidance for victims of incidents on the railways - Scotland

31 March 2017
If you have suffered physical, mental or emotional harm or economical loss due to an incident on the railway, this leaflet can provide you with guidance on what ORR can do to support you through this difficult time and your rights as a victim of such an incident.

Measuring performance of England’s strategic roads: what users want

31 March 2017
31 March 2017 This page contains details of joint research by ORR and Transport Focus into what road users want from England’s motorways and major A roads, and how they would like to see that measured and reported to help boost performance. In ORR’s approach to the second Road Investment Strategy which will span the period between 2020 and 2025, which was published in December 2016, we set our

Report a suspected competition issue

10 March 2017
We welcome information from industry participants, representative groups and the public about practices/conduct that may infringe competition law.

Occupational health compliance and good practice

1 March 2017
As part of ORR's strategy to raise awareness on occupational health under our health programme, we will publicise recent cases where formal enforcement action has been taken to secure legal compliance.

UK rail industry financial information 2015-16

17 February 2017
22 February 2017 The UK rail industry financial information for 2015-16 presents ORR’s analysis of this financial data. Since 2014-15 the publication has widened its coverage of the industry and made methodological and presentational changes. As a result, comparisons with the 2014-15 publication are to be read within that context. It is important to note that underlying data has not changed

Update on Highways England’s capital planning and asset management

1 February 2017
2 February 2017 ORR published its first annual assessment of Highways England’s performance in July 2016. It was broadly positive, but we reported concerns that the company needs to establish more robust long-term plans for investment delivery and asset management. Our update reports on progress in two areas: Highways England’s development of a robust capital baseline plan; and its work to improve

Goal-setting principles for railway health and safety

16 January 2017
We have produced this report to help dutyholders understand how to meet our expectations for the high-level goals that should be achieved by the railway when complying with the health and safety legislation.

Approach to authorisations under the Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011

5 January 2017
Consultation outcome Following this consultation we have published our policy statement relating to a progressive approach to infrastructure authorisation. Approach to authorisations under the Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011 22 September 2017 This revised approach will, in some cases, enable applicants to propose grouping together what would currently be separate authorisation

Driver Controlled Operation (DCO)

4 January 2017
The issue of safety relating to the interface between the platform and train and the safe dispatch of trains is an area of focus for the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and the industry.

Railway safety inquiry follow up

25 November 2016
Letter to Louise Ellman MP, Chair of the Transport Select Committee, from Ian Prosser, Director of Railway Safety, re-stating ORR’s position on Driver Only Operations (DOO).

Rail staff competence

2 November 2016
We have produced detailed guidance on developing and maintaining staff competence.

Electrical clearances to standing surfaces for 25kV overhead electrification policy statement

18 October 2016
This statement sets out and clarifies ORR’s policy on the issue of clearances from parts of 25kV electrification systems to standing surfaces to which members of the public may foreseeably gain access. The principles discussed here should act as guidance for people carrying out infrastructure design work, when looking specifically at the issue of electrical clearances.