With the festive period nearly upon us, ORR continues to work hard to serve the interests of rail and road users.
This month, we published research on improving assisted travel and launched our consultation to identify where arrangements for Assisted Travel can be strengthened. We would welcome views from across the industry and passengers. You can find out more here.
This month you can also read blogs explaining the work of the ORR in two distinct areas: our rail statistics publications and our work as the highways monitor.
Joanna Whittington
Chief Executive
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Improving Assisted Travel
ORR’s role is to ensure that train operators are fulfilling their responsibilities to passengers with disabilities. To better understand the experience of users who require assistance to travel on the country’s railways, ORR published research identifying how the system is working. We are working with the industry and passenger representatives to highlight the research.
Upgrading our road network
As well as the railways, a key part of ORR’s work is to monitor the performance of Highways England. Following a recent visit to see the £1.5 billion A14 improvement scheme between Cambridge and Huntingdon, Richard Coates, Deputy Director of Highways, outlined the scale of the project and its associated challenges.
West Marina case
London and Southeastern (LSER) and Wetton Cleaning Services Limited (Wettons) were fined £2.5 million and £1.1 million respectively on the 17th November following a prosecution brought by ORR. The prosecution followed the death of a cleaner, Roger Lower, who came into contact with a live rail during his shift three years ago.
Statistics for rail
Statistics help inform and give credibility to our regulatory work. Rebekah Paul, Senior Statistical Analyst, wrote a blog demystifying how the rail industry will measure the performance of a train operating company near you.
Beesley lecture
Joanna Whittington gave a lecture on the evolution of Network Rail and the consequences for regulation. Joanna considered the role of Network Rail and how the regulator can take advantage of the structural changes being implemented. The lecture also considered further developments in regulation which might better support the policy outcomes from the railway with a publicly-owned Network Rail at its centre.
Any questions?
If you have any questions on the work of ORR please contact news@orr.gov.uk.