ORR publishes railway safety statistical annual report

26 June 2008
ORR/22/08

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) today publishes its railway safety statistical report for the calendar year 2007.

The report shows that in 2007, railway safety continued to improve. Selected findings include:

• the total number of train incidents fell by 5%, from 1061 in 2006 to 1006 in 2007 (this includes trespass, vandalism, and passenger accidents);
• sadly there were five fatalities on the network: four vehicle occupants at level crossings (including one suspected suicide); and one passenger on the train involved in the derailment at Grayrigg in February 2007;
• there were significant reductions in track buckles and rolling stock failures;
• there were two rail employee fatalities, compared with four in 2006;
• assaults on employees by members of the public fell by 25% (223 in 2006 to 168 in 2007) reaching its lowest level in five years;
• 191 broken rails were reported on Network Rail-controlled infrastructure, representing a major improvement from 1999 when 939 were recorded; and
• the total number of signals passed at danger (SPADs) fell from 349 in 2006 to 325 in 2007.  However, there has been a slight increase in the number of  ‘severe’ SPADS from 18 in 2006 to 21 in 2007.

David Morris, ORR’s deputy chief inspector of railways said:

“The report shows that overall the level of safety on the railways has continued to show some improvement, with a reduction in the number of train incidents in 2007 compared with the previous year.

“We continue to work closely with the industry to make sure they are striving to make the railway safer for everyone concerned.

“ORR will carry on with its planned proactive inspection and investigation work, focusing on priority areas, including track, command and control signalling, level crossings, and worker safety. We will also use our enforcement powers and take appropriate action when necessary.”

Notes to editors

1. The railway safety statistical report 2007 provides information on the safety performance of the railway industry last year (January to December 2007). It covers the key safety risks in four sections: incidents involving passengers, staff and members of the public, level crossings, trespass and vandalism, train incidents and rolling stock and infrastructure failures. The report is available on the website at: http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.6693
2. ORR also publishes today its annual report and resource accounts for the year 2007-08. The report is available on the website at: http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.6693
3. Hard copies of all documents are also available from the Stationery Office Parliamentary Hotline on 0845 702 3474

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