ORR sets out its strategy as the safety and economic regulator for Britain’s railways
3 April 2006
ORR/09/06
The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has today, in its new role as the integrated rail safety and economic regulator, published its corporate strategy for 2006-09 and business plan for 2006-07.
ORR believes that continuous improvement in safety and business performance go hand in hand. The focus of the corporate strategy is therefore on how ORR, as the new integrated safety and economic regulator, can contribute to achievement by the industry of continuous improvement in safety, performance, and customer service alongside relentless improvement in efficiency and the elimination of unnecessary cost.
Chris Bolt, ORR Chairman, said:
“The Railways Act 2005 reinforced the role of independent regulation of Britain’s railways by merging economic and safety regulation. We are very conscious of the responsibilities placed on ORR, and the expectations that have been created.
As the integrated safety and economic regulator we will build on the work done by the Health and Safety Commission and Executive in recent years to secure improvement in the industry’s safety management and performance, and to continue engage with the full range of industry stakeholders.
We will also seek to capture for passengers and taxpayers the benefits of combining safety and economic regulation without in any way undermining the effectiveness of safety regulation. This is a considerable challenge for the railway industry and ORR. We believe we are ready for it.
Our long-term vision for the industry is a successful partnership of Network Rail, operators, suppliers and funders working together to deliver a safe, high performing and developing railway. We will seek to reap the benefits of combining safety and economic regulation without in any way undermining the drive to improve rail safety.
We do not underestimate the challenges in delivering this. But we are confident that our inheritance from HSE, and the high calibre Inspectorate and policy staff that are transferring to ORR, will stand us in good stead as we face up to them.”
Our corporate strategy also includes the business plan, which describes in greater detail what ORR expects to achieve in 2006–07, and the activities we will be undertaking to support delivery of our aims and objectives.
Notes for editors:
- The ORR corporate strategy for 2006-09 and the ORR Business Plan for 2006-07 is available from the ORR website (please see related links).
- A copy of the consultation document, Updating our Corporate Strategy – A Consultation is available from the ORR website (please see related links).
- The Railways Act 2005 transferred policy responsibility for health and safety regulation for railway activities, and for Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) from the Health and Safety Commission/Executive (HSC/E) to ORR. Regulations transferring enforcement responsibilities came into effect on 1 April 2006. ORR is now the combined safety and economic regulator for the railway industry. The ORR head office is at One Kemble Street, London WC2B 4AN, telephone 020 7282 2000, e-mail follows the protocol firstname.secondname@orr.gsi.gov.uk.
Press enquiries
ORR Press Office – 020 7282 2007/2141
