Rail professionals

New, major, upgraded or renewed infrastructure and rolling stock applicants have to follow a framework and seek an authorisation from us before placing the infrastructure or rolling stock into service.

We have produced 'Principles for health and safety on the railway' 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. It highlights the factors which should be addressed by anyone designing and putting into use new railways or rail vehicles, including major upgrades and

ORR immediately launched a review of both the passenger and safety impact following Hitachi Rail Class 800 series trains withdrawn from service for safety checks on Great Western Railway, London North Eastern Railway, TransPennine Express and Hull Trains, along with cracks being separately discovered after examination on ScotRail’s Class 385 and Southeastern’s Class 395 trains in May 2021.

Our responses to the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) in relation to their recommendations published in 2013.

The current standard versions of licences and licence exemptions in use.

We have published a findings report following a review of the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board (LRSSB) making six recommendations.

As the safety and economic regulator of the rail industry and Highways England’s monitor, we work with the following safety bodies.

High Speed Two (HS2) is a project run by the Department for Transport (DfT).