ORR publishes its corporate strategy and business plan
22 April 2005
ORR/19/05
Published today is the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) corporate strategy, which follows consultation with the railway industry and with stakeholders. This is the first corporate strategy since the ORR was established in July 2004. Delivery of the corporate strategy is underpinned by the ORR’s business plan, which is also published today.
Chris Bolt, ORR chairman, said:
“The next three years will be a period of significant change for the industry, Government and ORR, as we approach important decisions on the medium-term outputs and funding for the railway, and as responsibility for safety regulation is transferred to ORR around the end of 2005. Bringing together analysis of train service and network costs and outputs will be particularly important as ORR works towards the next review of Network Rail’s outputs and allowed revenues to take effect in April 2009.”
To this end, ORR’s strategy seeks to build on its achievements as the independent economic regulator for the national railway network and continue to ensure that Network Rail operates the network, and maintains and enhances its assets, in such a way that meets the reasonable requirements of its customers and funders. As the competition authority for the rail sector, ORR also has a broader role in helping markets work effectively to deliver value for money.
ORR is continuing to develop its approach to its future rail safety regulation responsibilities, by working closely with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to ensure the smooth transition of responsibility for rail safety regulation to ORR. In addition, building on the achievements of the HSE, further work during 2005 will identify how a merged safety and economic regulator for the national rail network can deliver the safe, well-performing and efficient services that rail users and taxpayers expect.
Notes for editors:
- The Railways Act 2005, which received Royal Assent on 08 April 2005, gives ORR responsibility for safety regulation. As a result, Health and Safety Executive Rail (HSE Rail), which includes Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate (HMRI), will transfer to ORR.
- The ORR business plan 2005–08 and Corporate Strategy is available above, and also from the ORR Librarian, Sue MacSwan, 1 Waterhouse Square, 138–142 Holborn, London EC1N 2TQ, tel: 020 7282 2001, fax: 020 7282 2045.
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