Health and safety

An ORR spokesperson said: "Trains with doors operated by drivers (known in the industry as ‘Driver Only Operation’) have been in operation in Great Britain for more than 30 years. ORR has scrutinised this approach, and our inspectors are satisfied that with suitable equipment, proper procedures and competent staff in place, it is a safe method of working."

By Dr Claire Dickinson, ORR Occupational Health Programme Manager

By Peter Antolik, Director, Highways.

By Justin McCracken.

Network Rail has been fined £70,000 for failing to comply with an Improvement Notice issued by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). The Improvement Notice required electrical cabinets on the railway to be made safe, reducing the risk of passengers and other members of the public being exposed to live 650V electrical equipment.

Britain’s railways are the safest they have ever been, but there is still room for improvement.

Train operator West Coast Railway Company Limited (WCRC) has been fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £64,000. This follows a prosecution brought by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for breaches of health and safety laws which led to a train passing a signal at danger near Wootton Bassett on 7 March 2015.