Latest ORR News

ORR Proposes Lower Charges for Passenger and Freight Trains on HS1

ORR has proposed a reduction in charges for passenger and freight trains using the HS1 line from London St Pancras to the Channel Tunnel.

Open Access Services from London to Stirling Gain ORR Approval

ORR has provided approval for Grand Union Trains to launch an open access rail service between London and Stirling, Scotland from June 2025.

ORR Approves Network Rail's £43 Billion Plan for CP7

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has approved Network Rail’s 43.1 billion GBP plan for Control Period 7 (CP7). 

ORR Instructs Network Rail to Clear Backlog on Examining Structures

ORR has written to Network Rail to express concerns about its backlog in examining the condition of railway structures.

ORR Approves Operation of Grand Union Trains on Great Western Main Line

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has approved the introduction of Grand Union Trains between London, Cardiff and South West Wales from 2024…

ORR Publishes Annual Health and Safety Report

The ORR, the safety regulator of Britain's railways, has published its annual health and safety report covering April 2021 to March 2022.

UK: Rail Journeys Double Post-Pandemic

More people are returning to rail travel post-pandemic according to the latest figures from the UK’s Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

ORR Issues Approvals for Elizabeth Line Opening

ORR has issued authorisations to all Elizabeth line stations due to open on 24 May, confirming the infrastructure is ready for passenger use…

Network Rail Receives Million Pound Fine for Major Health and Safety Breach

An Office of Rail and Road (ORR) Investigation has led to Network Rail being fined 1.4 million GBP for a health and safety breach.

UK: ORR to Strengthen Scrutiny of Network Rail

The ORR has launched its business plan for 2022/23, with details on how it plans to more closely scrutinise the work of Network Rail.

ORR and Network Rail Work to Increase Signalling Market Competition

Network Rail and the Office of Rail and Road are collaborating to increase competitiveness and lower costs in the rail signalling market.

UK: Light Rail Safety and Standards Board Supporting Improvements in Safety says ORR

The Office of Rail and Road believes the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board is supporting safety in the light rail and tram sector.

UK: Driver, Operator and TfL to be Prosecuted over Sandilands Tram Derailment

Following an investigation into the 2016 Sandilands tram derailment, the ORR has launched prosecutions for breaches of health and safety law…

ORR Statistics Show Rail Passengers Returning

New figures from the Office of Rail and Road show that UK rail travel started to rebound between April and June 2021.

UK Rail Freight Returns to Pre-Pandemic Levels

The amount of freight moved across the Uk's railway has returned to pre-pandemic levels according to new Office of Rail and Road statistics.

ORR Publishes Interim Report on Class 800 Train Cracks

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has published its interim report into the cracks found in Hitachi's Class 800 trains.

ORR: TOCs Kept Passengers Well Informed during Hitachi Class 800 Cracking Issue

The ORR has published findings showing that train operators kept passengers well informed during the Class 800 cracking issue.

ORR Begins UK Rail Infrastructure Planning for 2024–2029

The ORR has launched the 2023 Periodic Review – the process for determining the funding needed for Britain’s rail network from 2024-2029.

Regulator Says Network Rail Performance in NW&C Region Is Improving

A year on from its investigation into poor train performance in the NW&C region, the ORR has announced that progress has been made.

Network Rail’s Delivery Plans Broadly on Track Says ORR

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has found Network Rail’s progress in delivering against its Control Period 6 (CP6) plans broadly on track.

UK Rail Freight Continues to Decline

The latest quarterly statistics cover UK rail freight moved, freight lifted, freight delays per 100 train km, freight train kilometres by op…

Rail Regulator Publishes Safety Principles for Driver Controlled Operation

The Office of Rail and Road has published safety principles it expects train companies to follow when rolling out and managing Driver Contro…

ORR Approve New East Coast Mainline Services

The Office of Rail and Road have approved two applications to run new East Coast Mainline Services between London and Edinburgh.

24th Annual Rail Freight Group Conference 2016