TruckandTrackSummer2020

Truck and Track Summer 2020 www.truckandtrack.com 70 RAILFREIGHT More needs to be done to tackle the impacts of climate change on the railway, which has seen risks increase over the last year, according to a new report published by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). The rail regulator’s Annual Report of Health and Safety Performance on Britain’s Railways shows that, although safety across Britain’s railways has improved over the last 12 months, exceptional seasonal weather conditions continue to adversely affect safety performance. The number of earthwork failures and trains striking objects – such as trees – increased almost four fold compared to last year. Infrastructure is impacted by examples of climate change such as hot dry summers followed by high rainfall, which can cause earthwork to collapse, while movement in clay embankments can adversely affect the precision layout of the tracks. Although Network Rail has drawn up plans to address climate change and increase resilience to extreme weather, ORR reports today that these plans are not keeping up with the frequency and severity of weather events. Network Rail must focus on improving identification of imminent failure by means of remote monitoring and on refining the measures it has to respond to forecasts of extreme conditions. The annual report found important progress in level crossing safety, with a repeat of last year’s lowest-ever number of two level crossing fatalities and praisedNetwork Rail’s long-termstrategy for efficient improvement to level crossings. There has also been a levelling out of the estimated risk from Signals Passed at Danger, over the last year the ORR nevertheless saw an increase in incidents where train driver alertness was an underlying factor. Train and freight operating companies have been increasing their focus on developing driver training. The regulator is also working with trade unions and operators to enable the installation of equipment to aid drivers. Sadly, in the last year, four railway workers lost their lives while working on Britain’s railways. This further emphasises the high-risk environment in whichmany railway staff work and the importance of good safety working practices. In July 2019, ORR issued two key Improvement Notices on Network Rail to drive improvements in track worker safety; these were targeted on improved access, planning and improving the use of technology. Together these are designed to eliminate planned work taking place on railway lines that are open to traffic where the only protection is a lookout person. Network Rail must comply with the Notices by July 2022. It has so far responded positively by putting together a task force involving both its centre and the regions. Improvements to the deployment of new technology to protect workers has already started to be implemented. HMChief Inspector of Railways, Ian Prosser CBE, said: “There’s no doubt our railway remains one of the safest in Europe. There have been improvements in health and safety to the operation of Britain’s railways and this bears testimony to the great efforts made across the industry over the past decade. “However, the last year saw significant increases in flooding, earthwork failures and trains striking trees on the line, which had a big impact on the number of delays on the network. “It is so important that the sector employs best practice if we are to meet all the pressures on the network in the future and to make sure the railway plays its full role on climate change and reducing carbon emissions.” Ian Prosser, HMChief Inspector of Railways ImagebyOscarPlummer The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is urging people to stop taking unnecessary risks around the railway as figures from Network Rail show an average of 34 incidents a day. Trespassing on the railway is illegal. It is also incredibly dangerous, with a number of lives lost every year. The ORR, Network Rail and British Transport Police have been working together to discourage risky behaviour around the railway by both educating the general public and challenging any instances, for example in advertising or filming, that appears to condone unsafe and potentially life- threatening activity. Ian Prosser CBE, HM Chief Inspector of Railways, said: “There may be some misconception that as the country went into lockdown, so did the railway. This was not the case as passenger and freight services have been running throughout, with services becoming more frequent as timetables are increased and the lockdown is eased. “We also advise anyone aiming to depict trespassing on the railway as a means of promotion that it could lead to copycat behaviour being taken that may cause serious injury or death to those doing it.” The rail industry’s safety campaign You Vs Train highlights the dangers of trespassing on the railway. The campaign has been a catalyst for positive behaviour change in young people, with youth trespass levels showing an encouraging decline of 30% at high incident locations. AllanSpence, headof publicandpassenger safety forNetwork Rail, said: “As well as putting themselves at risk of serious harm, trespass directly affects passengers as many trains will be delayed. As train service levels increase and things start to return to a new normal, it is more important than ever for everyone to stay off the tracks and stay safe.” Superintendent AlisonEvans, of BTP’sDisruptionandTrespass Improvement Programme, added: “The Trespass Improvement Programme has targeted hot spots, including level crossings, where people need to take extra care when crossing the tracks, and has had considerable success in reducing trespass numbers, but it is also important that we address any inappropriate activity which clearly depicted dangerous actions. “ You Vs Train has influenced children and young people to avoid putting themselves in danger, and has considerable resources on line for parents and schools to use at this time.” The hidden dangers on the railway are real: each year, hundreds of young people take on the railway and lose and their actions have far-reaching and devastating consequences for their friends and family. People can read real life stories and the impact trespassing has had on their lives by visiting http://youvstrain.co.uk/ Trespassers warned about risks around railway Rail Regulator: More needs to be done to tackle impact on safety from climate change