The Office for Rail and Road (ORR) has urged Network Rail to make changes to mitigate the risks posed by climate change, in their 2023 health and safety report
According to the ORR’s report, Network Rail has been developing plans to improve the management of earthworks and drainage. These plans were made following the Carmont accident in 2020, where a train was derailed in Scotland, following severe rainfall.
Monitoring Network Rail’s performance is the primary purpose of the ORR. This involves a continuous assessment of their achievements, comparing them against targets set in the latest access charges review. The ORR also evaluates the compliance of Network Rail with obligations stated in their network license, and scrutinises their progress.
Network Rail has made some improvements on lines
The report acknowledges that Network Rail is committed to improving drainage, but finding some lost drainage assets has been tough. The report also noted that current drainage inspections lack rigour, and having dedicated teams would better lead to quality and consistency.
ORR mentioned that Network Rail’s drainage management planning has been impacted by poor staffing. However, the regulator has received assurance that the organisation will have a fully resourced drainage team by March 2024.
The ORR also urged Network Rail to improve its management of vegetation on their buildings. During inspections in three regions, it was found that Vegetation Management Plans (VMPs) were either missing or incomplete.
The report mentions that Network Rail is making progress on occupational health services, which will be available to the entire mainline railway service for the first time.
The report acknowledges some progress such as improved weather forecasting. However, the ORR emphasised that Network Rail must make more improvements across all its regions in the face of climate change.
Staff treatment needs improvement
Network Rail has taken steps in the past year, to improve safety for track workers and improve overhead line operations. However, concerns have been raised about managing worker fatigue. To address this, the ORR will provide new guidance to Network Rail, outlining their expectations and understanding of the law.
The ORR also criticised the industry for not providing sufficient toilet facilities for staff, which is a legal requirement. The ORR insists that operators should offer shared access to their own facilities.
“Financial challenges, changes to travelling and working patterns, weather extremes and industrial action have brought uncertainty to the rail industry, but Great Britain’s railways consistently perform as one of the safest in Europe,” said Ian Prosser, HM chief inspector of railways.
“To keep it in that position, the industry must redouble its efforts of managing its assets and the environment around them because of the threat of extreme and variable weather conditions on the network. A safe railway also relies on its workers to be at optimum performance, so it is of paramount importance that industry reduces fatigue levels,” he concluded.
