This report presents the findings of a review commissioned by the Office of Rail and Road into how Network Rail plans for Weather Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation (WRCCA) for its Operational Property portfolio. The review examines the extent to which climate risks to buildings are identified, assessed and addressed within Network Rail’s WRCCA framework. The study included key strategies, regional plans and delivery documents, as well as stakeholder interviews and survey responses.
The review found a strong overarching framework for managing weather and climate risks, with clear strategic intent and alignment with risk based and performance based approaches. However, the report identifies variability how this framework is applied in practice to building assets across regions. Overall, the treatment of buildings within WRCCA plans is often high level. There is limited building specific risk assessment, adaptation measures or performance metrics, and differing levels of maturity across regions.
The report provides analysis and perspectives, including a range of considerations and potential options, to support ORR’s ongoing regulatory activity and oversight of Network Rail’s management of climate risks to railway buildings, taking a proportionate and evidence based approach.