ORR Chairman welcomes Allan Sefton to lead HM Railway Inspectorate

13 December 2004
ORR/49/04

Chris Bolt, Chairman of the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), has welcomed the announcement that Dr Allan Sefton, Director of Rail Safety at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), will remain in post until the forthcoming merger of ORR and HMRI. Dr Sefton was to retire in April 2005 at age 60.

Chris Bolt said:

“I am particularly pleased that Allan Sefton has agreed to stay on through the period of transition. This will provide the necessary stability, as we prepare for the merger of our two Offices.”

Notes for editors

1. Dr Allan Sefton joined the Factory Inspectorate in 1969.  He has worked in a series of senior posts in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) including Head of HSE’s Offshore Safety Division, and as HSE Director for Scotland.  Dr Sefton has headed Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) since October 2003.  
2. The Railway Inspectorate was transferred to HSE from the then Department of Transport in 1990, taking the title HM Railway Inspectorate on that transfer.  HMRI comprises inspectors and other staff involved in promoting compliance with health and safety law, and is located in HSE offices throughout Great Britain. The Government intends that this role will be undertaken by ORR in the future and the Railways Bill introduced into Parliament on 25 November 2004 makes provision for this.  

Press enquiries

ORR Press Office – 020 7282 2007/2141
out of office – 07659 127 303