In this podcast Jacqui Russell, the head of our Consumer team, and Matt Westlake, who leads on accessibility matters, will both provide an insight into the recent work of their team who review the many aspects of the rail passenger experience. They also look ahead to a busy 2024. And Dr Ralitsa Hiteva talks about the value of her involvement with ORR's Consumer Expert Panel ..read more

New, major, upgraded or renewed infrastructure and rolling stock applicants have to follow a framework and seek an authorisation from the ORR before placing the infrastructure or rolling stock into service. In this podcast we'll learn about the path to applying for authorisation and the role the ORR plays to help the applicants, such as those who oversaw the upgraded Gatwick Airport and Castleford stations, East Linton and Brent Cross West, London's newest mainline station ..read more

Highways UK brings together the people responsible for managing, maintaining, and future-proofing the nation's road networks.  Over the course of the two-day event our roads team discussed areas including our Annual Assessment of National Highways and the next Road Investment Strategy, RIS3.  In this podcast we catch up with: Feras Alshaker, ORR director of planning and performance Nick Harris, chief executive officer of National Highways, who manage England's motorways and A-roads    Anthony Smith, chief executive of Transport Focus, the independent watchdog for transpor ..read more

In this episode, we take a look at the journey taken by a trainee inspector of railways at the Office of Rail and Road. We speak to two current trainee inspectors, an ORR inspector who explains what is needed to make the grade and Ian Prosser, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Railways, gives his advice to those taking their first steps. Find out more about our safety work. Contact us on podcast@orr.gov.uk ..read more

In this episode we discuss the Railway Work, Life & Death project, which takes a look back at railway worker accidents in Britain and Ireland from the late 1880s to 1939.  We're joined by Dr Mike Esbester, a senior lecturer in history at the University of Portsmouth.   The Office of Rail and Road has been pleased to be able to help the project, which is a joint initiative between the University of Portsmouth, the National Railway Museum and the Modern Records Centre at the University of Warwick.  Paul Wilkinson, knowledge project lead in ORR's Railway Safety Directorate al ..read more

In this episode we're out and about at the Highways UK event which took place at the NEC in Birmingham. We hear from John Larkinson, Chief Executive of ORR, Anthony Smith, Chief Executive, Transport Focus, and Nick Harris, Chief Executive, National Highways. They discussed smart motorways as part of a panel discussion during the event.  Also from ORR, you'll hear from Sneha Patel, Deputy Director of the Highways Team and Harry Garnham, Head of Roads Performance who share their thoughts on the event and some of our areas of focus at the moment.  Find out more about our work holding ..read more

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As Britain's rail regulator, the Office of Rail and Road plays a vital role in improving the passenger experience in compensation, passenger information and accessibility. In this episode, the Rail and Road Pod takes a closer look at some of the work of its consumer team.   The first half of this episode focuses on ORR's role in improving accessibility on the rail network by holding operators to account through Accessible Travel Policies, promoting accessibility and reducing barriers to travel. We also look at how improvements are being made in passenger information, with all train oper ..read more

The topic of conversation this month ties in with International Women's Day on 8 March, the day which celebrates women's achievement and raises awareness against gender bias.  Our topic for discussion is women in transport, specifically how both the rail and road industries are changing to improve their culture to be more inclusive, flexible, and open and encourage more women into roles within the industry. Hosted by Sneha Patel, Deputy Director of Highways at the Office of Rail and Road. We're joined by four guests: Annette Pass, Head of Innovation at National Highways; Christine Fernand ..read more

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is the independent monitor of National Highways' performance and efficiency. This role was established in 2015 as part of the Government's road reform package.  Since then, ORR has been holding National Highways (formerly Highways England) to account for the management of the strategic road network - the major motorways and major A roads in England. In this episode, we hold conversations with the Chief Executive of ORR, those that lead the company's Highways Monitor and also with the Chief Executive of National Highways and Transport Focus to find out a ..read more