Our annual reviews of health and safety, Network Rail and our work for passengers
We've set out our annual assessment of Britain's rail industry for 2023 to 2024 and priorities for the year ahead. Read the news release for an overview as we analyse topics including punctuality and cancellations, health and safety, the passenger experience and value for money.
Year in Rail stakeholder event
We welcomed leaders from across the industry to our Year in Rail event on 18 July 2024. View the presentation slides.
Attendees heard from chief executive John Larkinson, HM chief inspector of railways Richard Hines and director of strategy, policy and reform Stephanie Tobyn, as well as our head of network regulation Matt Wikeley. The session was chaired by Russell Grossman, director of communications.
Key insights from ORR leaders
John Larkinson, chief executive
"Network Rail has successfully delivered its efficiency targets for the year, which is good news for those who fund the railway – passengers and taxpayers. And it is positive that it has largely stabilised train performance, although we needed to take enforcement action on the Wales and Western region to secure improvement for passengers and freight. I’m pleased that the company has committed to delivering a performance improvement plan to us for the region.
“There is pressure on Network Rail from climate change, ageing assets and the need to increase maintenance work to compensate for reduced renewals spend. The company needs to maintain safety, improve train performance and deliver further efficiencies against this backdrop. Now more than ever, achieving this will require increased close working with train operators.”
Richard Hines, HM chief inspector of railways
"2023 to 2024 was an important year for Network Rail as it signalled the end of Control Period 6 (CP6), and the start of Control Period 7. A detailed account of Network Rail’s performance against commitments over this four-year period is provided in our Network Rail Annual Assessment.
"But I do want to recognise the significant progress that has been made in a number of areas through CP6 which include trackworker safety, drainage asset inventories and occupational health improvements in areas such as Hand-Arm Vibration (HAVS). However, not all commitments were met in full and there is more to do to ensure that necessary improvements are implemented in a timely manner."
Read Richard's full review in our Annual Report of Health and Safety.
Stephanie Tobyn, director of strategy, policy and reform
“Industry has responded well to our engagement this year, and delivered improvements including greater transparency on booking fees, reduced refund fees, better information for people when their booked trains change, and 43 organisations have signed up to the new Rail Ombudsman Scheme sponsored by ORR.
“But there remain too many instances when passengers are let down. In particular, operators have not sustained the improvements in booked assistance that we saw last year. We need operators to turn this around and will be focussed on driving improvements over the coming year.”
Read the Annual Rail Consumer Report.
