ORR Gets on Track to Success with BCIMO Track and Civils Training Course Visit

BCIMO was delighted to welcome the Office of Road and Rail (ORR) to the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre recently, as part of their week-long introduction to civils and track/trackside training course, part of their railway technical training programme for trainee inspectors.

The ORR is the independent regulator responsible for overseeing the safety, efficiency, and performance of Britain’s railway network and monitoring the strategic road network managed by Highways England. The ORR ensures that rail and road operators comply with safety and operational standards, holding them accountable for providing safe, reliable, and value-for-money services. It plays a crucial role in enforcing regulations, investigating safety concerns, and ensuring fair access to railway infrastructure for different operators.

A key component of the ORR’s work is carried out by its inspectors, who conduct routine and unannounced inspections across the rail and road networks. These inspectors assess compliance with safety laws, investigate incidents and accidents, and enforce regulatory standards to protect both passengers and workers. Their role is instrumental in preventing accidents, ensuring proper maintenance of infrastructure, and promoting a culture of safety across the transport industry.

Rail inspections are a critical part of maintaining safety on the railways. Inspectors evaluate everything from track conditions and signalling to train operations and safety procedures. The Railway Safety Directorate (RSD) within the ORR is responsible for overseeing rail safety, working closely with operators to monitor performance and address potential risks. Through regular inspections, the RSD ensures that safety standards are met, helping to reduce incidents and improve overall safety across the rail network.

To effectively perform their roles, rail inspectors need to be thoroughly trained and equipped with the skills necessary to assess and react to real-world conditions. While theoretical knowledge and classroom instruction provide a strong foundation, it’s crucial for inspectors to gain practical, hands-on experience in an actual working environment. This ensures they are prepared to handle unforeseen situations, identify safety hazards that may not be apparent in a controlled setting, and work alongside on-site personnel to uphold safety standards.

As part of its week-long introduction to civils and track/trackside training course, part of their railway technical training programme for trainee inspectors, the ORR utilised BCIMO’s facilities at the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre (VLRNIC). The VLRNIC was the ideal venue for this training, especially as, unlike rail operators, it benefits from a licence exemption. This exemption enables BCIMO to create a flexible and dynamic training environment, free from the stringent operational constraints that licensed rail operators must follow.

Following ORR’s visit to BCIMO, we caught up with Lee Collins, Development and Competency Manager – Railway Safety Directorate and Chris Davies, onsite specialist tutor on the course, to find out about their experience at BCIMO:

Can you tell us a bit about your roles in ORR?

Lee: “As Development and Competency Manager – Railway Safety Directorate, I’m responsible for ensuring the rail industry has effective competence management systems and focusing on developing and maintaining staff skills and knowledge to ensure safe and reliable railway operations.”

Chris: “I work as Principal Inspector of Railways, where I lead the Track and Civils Specialist Team within ORR’s Railway Safety Directorate.”

What did you do during your visit to BCIMO?

Lee: “During the visit, the group viewed the infrastructure on site, identified potential topics of concern or interest, and discussed the details of the asset management regimes that apply.”

Why did you choose BCIMO as a location for your training course?

Chris: “We chose BCIMO for our training course location as it provided the team with unique access to Network Rail – approved railway infrastructure, particularly, plain line railway track; road over track overbridge; a set of powered points; railway drainage features; a fully lit railway tunnel and related structures; a split-level platform; and classroom facilities. This combination offered an ideal location for our trainee regulatory railway health and safety inspectors to gain a thorough understanding of a live railway environment and for us to deliver an informative and engaging session.”

How did find your visit? Would you recommend BCIMO to other training course providers?

Lee: “BCIMO provided an accessible value-for-money venue, with the appropriate learning facilities and importantly, direct access to railway infrastructure within a safe but practical active participation environment.”

Chris: “The visit was a positive experience, enabling us to provide a hands-on experience for our delegates. Use of classroom facilities also enabled presentations and discussions to be incorporated into the day which was particularly helpful. The team at BCIMO were welcoming and very happy to accommodate our needs. We’d have no hesitation in recommending BCIMO’s facilities to other training course providers.”

Reflecting on the visit, BCIMO’s Head of Engineering and Programmes Tony Joy, said:

“We were delighted to welcome the Office of Rail and Road to BCIMO’s Rail Development and Test Site to support the training of their inspectors. As a unique test facility operating under a licence exemption, we provide a controlled yet realistic environment for hands-on learning without the constraints of operational railways. This makes BCIMO the perfect location for specialist training, allowing inspectors to develop their expertise in a safe, flexible, and highly relevant setting.”

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