Our functions

As a combined economic and safety regulator we have economic and safety functions.

Background

The Rail Regulator was originally established by statute when Britain's railways were privatised in 1993. The Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 replaced the Rail Regulator with the Office of Rail Regulation.

As the health and safety regulator of the railway industry, our principal function is to secure the safe operation of the railway system, and to protect both those working on the system and members of the public from health and safety risks arising from the railways.

Economic functions

Our principal economic regulatory functions are set out in the Railways Act 1993 (the RA 1993).

In short, they are:

• regulate Network Rail's stewardship of the national rail network
• licence operators of railway assets
• approve track, station, light maintenance depot access

We also have concurrent jurisdiction with the Office of Fair Trading to investigate potential breaches of the Competition Act 1998 in relation to the railways.

ORR is also a designated enforcer under Part 8 of the Enterprise Act 2002.

Safety functions

Our safety functions are found in the Railways Act 2005, the amendments made by that Act to the Railways Act 1993 and in the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA 1974).

In summary, we are the enforcing authority for the HSWA 1974, for the Railways and Other Guided Transport System Regulations 2006 and for various other pieces of railway specific legislation.

Last updated: 2 December 2011

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