2001-06-29 New direction and focus for the Strategic Rail Authority (Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions)

_______________________________________________________________

date 20 September 2001
source ATOC
type Press release

The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) today described the new safety regulation structure recommended by Lord Cullen, as a welcome step forward in reducing the confusion and duplication created by the current arrangements.

ATOC Director, Steve Bence, said: "There are many recommendations in the report for the industry to consider, however, we are particularly pleased to see the recommendation to set up an independent Railway Accident Investigation Board, which ATOC put forward as part of its evidence to the
inquiry.

"Other recommendations that we also welcome are the establishment of a new independent body for setting industry safety standards and a new accreditation system for the industry's key suppliers to conform with."

During the inquiry, ATOC advocated a more radical approach for safety regulation by proposing the establishment of the National Rail Safety Authority (NRSA), a new and fully independent safety regulator which would have been responsible for setting, monitoring and enforcing safety standards, this would have brought the structure of UK rail regulation in line with proposed European Safety Directive.

"Whilst we are disappointed he has not taken forward the NRSA model we proposed, we are pleased Lord Cullen has sought to clarify the role and responsibility of the existing safety rail regulator which was a key theme of our submission to the Inquiry.

Ends

For more information call the ATOC Press Office on 020 7904 3010

Railhub Archive ::: 2001-09-20 ATO-001