Regulator sets up new rail safety body
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24 February 2003 The Rail Regulator, Tom Winsor, has today announced the setting up of a new rail industry safety body recommended by Lord Cullen's inquiry into the tragic accident at Ladbroke Grove. The Regulator's final conclusions and the proposed modifications to Network Rail's network licence and to train operators' licences published today follow wide consultation within the railway industry, with the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) and with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Tom Winsor said: "The rail industry has done much, helped by Railway Safety under Sir David Davies' chairmanship, to improve commitment and cooperation on safety matters. The new Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) will build on that by providing the health and safety focus for the whole industry, while remaining independent of any part of it. I am particularly pleased to confirm that the staff and knowledge of Railway Safety will be at the heart of this new organisation. "The RSSB's key functions will include the production of the industry's collective safety plan, the monitoring and review of safety performance, and management of the industry's process for setting safety standards. It will also be able to provide a collective industry voice in discussions on safety matters with government, regulatory bodies and the European Union. I am now seeking the formal consent of train operators to the licence modification to establish the RSSB." Lord Cullen recommended that the Rail Regulator should take forward, with the industry, the establishment of the new safety body. The first consultation document was published on 20 December 2001, and the second on 16 October 2002. Two industry conferences were held, and a cross-industry development group was set up to refine the proposals that now form the basis of the Regulator's final conclusions. Notes for editors: 1. The Regulator's conclusions and formal consultation on the proposed licence modification Establishment of a rail industry safety body: Notice of proposed licence modification and Regulator's conclusions is published today. Associated documents available as PDF only: Constitution agreement; Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association; explanatory note for the Constitution Agreement and Memorandum and Articles of Association; Railway Group Standards Code; and Comparite version of Draft licence condition. 2. The first consultation document Establishment of a rail industry safety body: A consultation document was published on 20 December 2001. 3. The second consultation document Establishment of a rail industry safety body: provisional conclusions was published 16 October 2002. 4. For background information see the Rail Industry Safety Body section of this website. 5. The documents are also available from Sue MacSwan, ORR Librarian, 1 Waterhouse Square, 138-142 Holborn, London EC1N 2TQ. Tel: 020 7282 2001; fax: 020 7282 2045. Press enquiries: ORR Press Office : 020 7282 2002/2007 |
