The Office of Rail and Road (previously the Office of Rail Regulation) has confirmed to Railway Herald that it has commenced the start of a process to consider revoking the safety certificate of the West Coast Railway Company (WCRC) following significant concerns over safety.
The ORR has written to industry stakeholders to advise of its concerns and that it has "triggered its formal procedures to consider revocation of the West Coast Railway Company (WCRC) Safety Certificate" as of 17th April. As with the granting of a license, the revocation procedure involves a 28-day consultation process with the industry, before a final decision is made.
Network Rail has confirmed that WCRC has submitted paperwork in relation to the Suspension Notice served on 2nd April, and that the submission is now being reviewed and assessed. Given that the ORR has publically stated its concern over safety at WCRC, there remains the possibility that in the event of Network Rail lifting its suspension notice, the ORR could take steps to prevent the company from resuming operations pending the outcome of the industry consultation.
Any further information is unlikely to come before late May, once the 28-day consultation has concluded, and a decision is reached by the ORR.
The ORR has written to industry stakeholders to advise of its concerns and that it has "triggered its formal procedures to consider revocation of the West Coast Railway Company (WCRC) Safety Certificate" as of 17th April. As with the granting of a license, the revocation procedure involves a 28-day consultation process with the industry, before a final decision is made.
Network Rail has confirmed that WCRC has submitted paperwork in relation to the Suspension Notice served on 2nd April, and that the submission is now being reviewed and assessed. Given that the ORR has publically stated its concern over safety at WCRC, there remains the possibility that in the event of Network Rail lifting its suspension notice, the ORR could take steps to prevent the company from resuming operations pending the outcome of the industry consultation.
Any further information is unlikely to come before late May, once the 28-day consultation has concluded, and a decision is reached by the ORR.