Press Releases09/06/2004Safety performance for 2003 highlighted in Railway Group reportSafety on the national rail network has improved in a number of key areas according to the latest Annual Safety Performance Report, published by Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) today. Rail travel continues to be one of the safest forms of public transport, and is nine times safer than car travel, per passenger mile. The report shows some encouraging signs of improvement with no fatalities or major injuries in a train accident in 2003, and a reduction in risk under the direct control of the railway. The number of train accidents on or affecting the passenger line reduced by 27%, to the lowest level ever recorded. Signals passed at danger (SPADs) increased by 5%; however this should be seen in the context of an overall reduction in SPAD risk by 44% since March 2001. This reduction in risk follows the implementation of the Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS), and other SPAD initiatives. Compared with 2002, reportable ‘line of route’ offences decreased by 26%. The rail industry remains vigilant in driving this figure down with many national initiatives in place to focus on understanding the causes of railway crime and introducing measures that will lead to risk reductions. The incidence of rail breaks also decreased by 14%. This is 44% better than the target set for Network Rail by the Office of the Rail Regulator and the lowest figure ever recorded. Workforce safety on the railways remains a key area of concern with three trackworker fatalities in 2003. An increase of 18% in reported workforce assaults is also a key area for attention. While this figure does not represent an increase in physical injury to staff, it is disappointing that workers are subjected to an increasing level of verbal abuse. However, this increase is also attributed to a better level of reporting as the industry strives to encourage staff to seek support. Announcing the latest figures, Aidan Nelson, director, Policy and Strategic Initiatives for Rail Safety and Standards Board said: ‘The industry has again shown that focused action delivers safety improvements. That there were no fatalities in a train accident in 2003 is great news. The challenge is clear: improve quality and the rail sector can further improve the safety of passengers and those who work in the industry’ Headlines:
Aidan Nelson added: ‘It is clear that safety performance is improving in many areas, however the challenge facing the industry is workforce safety and, in partnership with other agencies, the road – rail interface and wider issues of public behaviour. Over the longer term the safety of Britain’s railways has continued to improve. The Rail Safety and Standards Board will continue to facilitate national initiatives to further improve safety for the workforce, passengers and the wider public. Notes to Editors: 1. The Annual Safety Performance Report 2003 covers the full 2003 calendar year, in line with emerging European reporting requirements. 2. The Annual Safety Performance Report, compiled and published by the Rail Safety and Standards Board on behalf of the industry, chronicles safety performance on the national rail network. The comprehensive report provides benchmark data and informs the development of the business cases underpinning the development of industry and company safety plans for 2005. 3. RSSB was established in April 2003 as an independent, not for profit organisation tasked with improving safety performance across the national rail network. The company is owned by the railway industry, is limited by guarantee and has a Board and an advisory committee. It is independent of any single railway company and their commercial interests.
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