The rail industry must focus on the climate challenge and the health of its workers, the rail regulator has said.
In a report published today, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said that Network Rail must deliver the changes to address the risks of climate change.
Network Rail has been working action plans focused on improving the management of earthworks originating from the Carmont accident in 2020.
The ORR said that the rail industry had seen progress in certain areas, including adopting better weather forecasting technology however whilst some regions are committed to improving and maintaining drainage assets, current inspections were not being carried out correctly and recommended having dedicated teams would improve quality.
ORR also called on Network Rail to improve its management of vegetation on buildings and structures, after finding that across three of the regions inspected, Vegetation Management Plans (VMPs), a first step in effective vegetation control, were either absent or incomplete.
ORR also recommended that climate change should take front and centre of Network Rail’s efforts to improve safety for passengers and better predict adverse weather conditions. Since then, Network Rail has implemented 60 solar-powered weather stations that monitors extreme weather conditions in real-time.
It also launched a new extreme weather resilience task force last year.
The regulator also expressed concern about fatigue and safety of track side workers although did note the positive steps taken by Network Rail to improve the safety of track workers working on overhead lines.
Ian Prosser, HM chief inspector of railways said: “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.
“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.”
Photo Credit: Office of Rail and Road
Want to know more about the opportunities to become a key supplier to the UK rail industry? Attend TransCityRail and access an exclusive marketplace of buyers from Network Rail, HS2, Train Operators, Major Contractors, and all other tiers of the supply chain. For more information and to secure your place click here.
