Regulator hails Derby as Britain's centre of railway excellence

5 November 2009
ORR/24/09

As the national rail network sees record-breaking standards of safety, punctuality and passenger growth, chief executive of the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), Bill Emery, has hailed Derby as Britain's centre of railway excellence in a speech at the Derby Conference Centre on Wednesday evening.

Speaking at the Derby and Derbyshire Rail Forum annual conference, Bill Emery emphasised the inspiring role that Derby has played in shaping the UK's rail industry - the city's Midland Railway headquarters introduced innovations which survive to this day, like the two-class ticket system and modern telephone technology. 

Bill Emery also outlined the crucial role that Derby will play in the future of the national rail network as he highlighted several exciting rail projects in the area, including:

• the renovation of Derby station;
• reduction in journey times between London and Derby through line speed  improvements;
• the new East Midlands Control Centre building has been completed and in a few years will house signalling and controls for a significant part of mainline network, and;
• the extension to Etches Park depot which, when complete will provide enhanced facilities for train maintenance and presentation for East Midland Trains.

Bill Emery said:

"Derby has shaped the rail industry across the UK for over 150 years, survived the lean years and prospered at other times.  It can and I believe will continue to do so. I take this view both from Derby's history, the excellent range of skills in the region and good future prospects for rail in Britain, Europe and further afield."

Today's speech is set against the backdrop of sustained growth in the railways. ORR reports over 90% of trains are now arriving on time; with a best ever last month of 93% (up from an annual average of just over 75% in 2001), safety on the trains continues to improve supported by record levels of investment, and passenger numbers continue to rise with over 1.25 billion passenger journeys taken last year. 

Bill Emery added:

"Celebrating success must not bring on any sense of complacency.

"The Government and the Office of Rail Regulation are demanding an ever better safety record, even higher punctuality levels and much less disruption to passengers caused by work on the railways. We are also overseeing the delivery of the biggest ever rail network enhancement programme and requiring Network Rail to make substantial further improvements in efficiency."

Notes to editors

1. Bill Emery was speaking at the Derby & Derbyshire Rail Forum annual conference on 4 November 2009.
2. Link to the speech in full is available on the ORR website: http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.2223

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