Rail

Train driver receives prison sentence for ignoring safety systems

Content archived on 19 July 2025

10 November 2014
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Former First Capital Connect train driver, Scott Walford, has received a three-month suspended prison sentence and been ordered to pay costs of £500, after he ignored warnings and safety systems on the Cambridge to London train he was driving – placing passengers and staff on board in great danger. On 7 November, Mr Walford pleaded guilty following a prosecution brought by the Office of Rail

Occupational health strategy and progress

5 November 2014
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ORR's Closing the Gap on Health report provides a comprehensive review of rail industry progress in managing occupational health by the end of our 2014-19 health programme. We have used this evidence-based review to identify our strategic priorities on health for the coming years in a revised occupational health chapter. We also have five position papers on the key health risks in the railway

BAM Nuttall fined £140,000 for crushing construction worker under six tonne concrete and steel beam

Content archived on 19 July 2025

30 September 2014
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BAM Nuttall Ltd has been fined £140,000 and ordered to pay costs of £42,700 following a prosecution by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR). The company pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety law in December 2010, during the replacement of a South London railway bridge, and causing a construction worker to suffer life changing injuries.

Connection contracts: amending our general approval to include novations

30 September 2014
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Date published: 30 September 2014 Closing date: 28 November 2014 Consultation on extending the general approval to include the novation of connection contracts based on ORR's template. Connection contracts govern the maintenance and operation of connection points, that is where two networks meet. We already have a general approval which covers new qualifying connection contracts. When a Facility

Is the rail ticket market innovative and competitive enough to serve the interests of passengers?

Content archived on 19 July 2025

30 September 2014
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Improvements in technology are changing the way passengers buy their rail tickets and the form of the ticket itself is changing rapidly. Ticket offices remain popular but rail passengers are now making greater use of the internet and ticket vending machines to buy tickets. They have greater choice and more convenient forms of tickets, with smart ticketing and mobile ticketing. They are also buying

Analysis of Network Rail's historic income and expenditure

29 September 2014
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This analysis provides information about Network Rail's historic income, expenditure and efficiency. The information is for Great Britain and where possible England & Wales and Scotland separately. More detail about Network Rail income and expenditure can be found in its regulatory accounts, which are available on Network Rail's website. Historic expenditure OMR expenditure in Great Britain Table

Making our railways safer

Content archived on 19 July 2025

12 September 2014
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As director of health and safety and HM chief inspector of railways, I lead a team of inspectors who spend most of their time out and about on the railways. We work with Network Rail, train operators and others from across the industry to help make Britain's railways safer whether you are travelling or working on them. Inspectors have been doing this for quite a while – 175 years next year.