UK: The Light Rail Safety & Standards Board is undertaking reforms designed to provide it with greater independence and stronger sector participation.
The LRSSB was established by British light rail operators and their trade body UKTram in 2018 with the aim of facilitating more effective co-operation across the sector. This built on work undertaken by a safety steering group which had been formed by UKTram following the fatal derailment in Croydon which killed seven passengers in 2016.
The Office of Rail & Road undertook a review of the LRSSB in 2022 which found that it was providing guidance and tools to improve the sector’s understanding of risk, but highlighted the need for a long-term strategy and clear governance and funding arrangements.
The LRSSB has now reached an agreement in principle with UKTram for new articles of association and its reconstitution to increase the involvement of owners, authorities and operators.
Meeting the needs of a growing light rail sector
‘We are now pressing ahead with the proposals that put us in an even better position to work on the safety issues that matter most to the sector. These steps will enable us to meet the recommendations made by the Office of Rail & Road, which called for greater transparency and sector representation’, LRSSB Chief Executive Carl Williams said on July 23.
’Over the next few months, we will be working closely with UKTram to finalise new working arrangements and to develop a memorandum of agreement with our members. Both are expected to be in place by the end of the year following our annual general meeting in December.
‘In the meantime, we will continue consultations with members as we look forward to an exciting new era for our organisation as it continues to evolve in line with the needs of a growing light rail sector.’
