Network Rail’s missing data on structures ‘puts safety at risk’

Public safety could be put at risk because Network Rail does not fully understand its own structures such as bridges, a regulator has warned.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said it would bring in a consultant to investigate how the infrastructure operator assesses certain physical assets, as it was “not satisfied with progress being made”.

In 2023, the regulator told Network Rail that “ongoing non-compliance” with its own standards regarding data collection on the condition of structures could lead to undetected faults and hazards, with the potential for a “significant effect” on passengers, workers and the public.

Chief inspector of railways Richard Hines wrote to the body last week, saying: “We have reviewed Network Rail’s initial high-level recovery proposals for non-compliant structural assessments, unknown or unverified structural capacities and missing risk assessments.

“These proposals lack sufficient detail to give confidence that they will be delivered, and recovery periods are unacceptably long. In some locations you have not defined dates by which compliance with your own standards will be achieved. This is unacceptable.”

The letter, seen by Construction News, adds: “Taking into account the duration and scale of non-compliance, we are concerned that Network Rail is unable to effectively fulfil its legal obligations and responsibilities for the asset management and safety of its structures and operational property.”

Hines said a lack of essential information about some assets could affect Network Rail’s ability to make the right decisions in managing its infrastructure.

“This could lead to unaddressed risks to train performance and public safety,” he added.

The chief inspector gave Network Rail until the end of April to complete risk assessments for non-compliant assets, and until next February to assess those structures with no recorded capacity.

He added that an independent reporter – one of eight firms including Arup, Jacobs and Costain that were appointed to a framework last month – would be commissioned to carry out a review.

“This study will examine the underlying causes of the current non-compliance and help to inform our assessment of whether Network Rail is achieving compliance with its standards in the most efficient way possible given the circumstances,” he wrote.

In response to a request for comment on the issue by CN, Network Rail safety and engineering director Martin Frobisher said: “We have a comprehensive plan in place for the delivery of our structures’ inspections and assessments.

“Progress has been made but there is still much more to do, and we are working closely with the ORR and our regional engineers to prioritise this activity and move forward with our plans.”