The Freight Safe Programme, which was established in 2024 to ensure forthright and continuous innovations in rail freight for the benefit of the industry and its customers, has produced a process to identify emerging and future risks to the sector. ‘Horizon Scanning’, a structured process for considering potential problems, threats, opportunities and likely future developments,such […]
Category: Safety
Copper cable theft highlights need for dedicated railway security, says expert
In the wake of major disruption caused by cable theft on the Eurostar line, smarter security specialists Land Sheriffs are highlighting the need for dedicated security to keep the railways operational and safe. At the end of June, 600 metres of copper cables were stolen overnight from tracks used by the Eurostar near Lille in […]
Industry must keep focus on safety throughout rail reform, says ORR
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has delivered its assessment of Great Britain’s railway in its annual reports released today (Thursday 17 July). ORR highlights that Britain’s railway remains one of the safest in Europe and the industry has made good progress in a number of areas, including taking action to address overdue structure […]
RSSB releases latest Annual Health and Safety Report
A new report by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) shows rail is still among the safest transport modes for passengers and goods. Amid economic challenges and industry changes, continued vigilance and focus on health and safety remain essential. RSSB launched the 2024-2025 Annual Health and Safety Report (AHSR) at its fifth annual Operations […]
Oxfordshire level crossing closes following dangerous incidents
Wantage Road level crossing in Grove has been closed following a series of dangerous incidents. Shocking images show people putting themselves, passengers and railway staff in danger, as they stop to take selfies on the high-speed railway line. Accidental deaths on rail network rise by 26% compared to last year, prompting Network Rail and British […]
RSSB launches new free E-learning course on Taking Safe Decisions
The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) has launched a new free e-learning course, Taking Safe Decisions. The course, developed with the support of the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), offers practical guidance on topics including: The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) recently identified inconsistencies within the rail industry in how decisions regarding […]
Railway safety campaign launches as accidental deaths hit five-year high
New hard-hitting safety films feature first responders sharing the devastating physical and emotional impacts of railway accidentsNetwork Rail and British Transport Police campaign targets unsafe behaviour around tracks and level crossings as the summer holidays approach. Powerful new safety films will be seen across Britain this summer as Network Rail and the British Transport Police […]
‘Do not travel’ warning issued by TPE after tree falls on the line
TransPennine Express is calling on customers not to travel on its services heading to and from Scotland on the West Coast Mainline after a tree fell onto the tracks earlier this morning. The tree came down near to Beattock in the early hours of Monday 30 June, completely blocking the line between Carlisle and Glasgow/Edinburgh. […]