The UK rail industry is entering one of its most significant periods of change in decades. With the creation of Great British Railways and wider industry reform, there is an opportunity to improve how our rail network operates. However, as highlighted in the Office of Rail and Road’s latest Annual Health and Safety Report, one thing must remain constant throughout this transformation: safety.

The report, published shortly after the tragic train collision at Elstow near Bedford, serves as a timely reminder that strong safety performance should never lead to complacency. While Britain’s railways continue to be among the safest in the world, the consequences of getting it wrong can be devastating. As we have often spoken about, the absence of statistics does not mean the presence of safety.

Leadership During Change

Periods of change often bring uncertainty. New structures, new responsibilities and changing priorities can create opportunities for confusion if leadership is not clear.

The Office of Rail and Road has stressed that reform must be supported by clear accountability and decisive leadership. Organisations must ensure that safety remains at the centre of every decision, regardless of commercial pressures or operational challenges.

Extraordinary leadership means creating an environment where safety is protected through everyday behaviours, open communication and consistent decision making. Leaders cannot assume that systems alone will keep people safe. Culture plays a crucial role.

Known Risks Still Require Attention

The report identifies several areas where greater focus is needed.

Over speeding remains one of the most significant risks across the railway. Track worker safety continues to demand close attention despite progress in reducing higher risk working practices.

Recent incidents have also shown that planned safety controls are not followed consistently. Procedures are only effective when they are understood, supported and applied every day by everyone involved.

This reinforces an important lesson for every organisation. Having processes in place is only part of the solution. Leaders must create a culture where safe decisions become the normal way of working.

Looking After People

The report also highlights the importance of improving welfare facilities for railway workers.

Although many organisations have committed to the RSSB Welfare Charter, progress has slowed and standards remain inconsistent across the industry.

Providing suitable welfare is about far more than meeting compliance requirements. It demonstrates respect for people, supports wellbeing and enables workers to perform safely and effectively. Organisations that invest in their people are often those that achieve stronger safety performance over the long term.

Financial Pressure Should Never Increase Risk

The report acknowledges that financial pressures have led to delays in planned renewals and maintenance activities.

While organisations must often make difficult commercial decisions, safety cannot become a casualty of budget constraints. Where work is postponed or reduced, risks must be carefully assessed and suitable controls put in place.

Strong leaders understand that managing risk is not about eliminating change. It is about ensuring that every decision is informed, transparent and centred on protecting people.

Safety Is Built Every Day

The rail industry has made significant progress over many years, but maintaining high standards requires constant attention.

Safety is not achieved through policies alone. It is built through leadership, accountability, communication and the everyday choices made by individuals across an organisation. The culture must support openness and honesty by everyone about what is happening and the risks that are present. It is not enough just to tell people it is safe to speak up.

As the rail industry continues its journey through reform, there is an opportunity to strengthen not only systems and infrastructure but also the culture that supports them. By keeping people at the heart of every decision, the industry can ensure that progress and safety move forward together. We need to develop a culture where the leadership relate to their people in their organisations not as  “a problem to fix” to relating to their people as the solution. Then people own the safe way of working versus mere compliance.

References

Office of Rail and Road. (2026). Rail industry must maintain safety standards through reform, says ORR. Published 14 July 2026.

Office of Rail and Road. Annual Health and Safety Report 2026. Referenced within the ORR announcement.

RSSB Welfare Charter. Referenced by the Office of Rail and Road as part of ongoing improvements to railway worker welfare.