The Light Rail Safety and Standards Board (LRSSB) is set to undergo a significant change aimed at bolstering tramway safety. The organisation has outlined plans to increase its independence and enhance sector participation, as announced by LRSSB Chair George Lowder at the UK Light Rail Conference.
Established in 2018 by the sector and its trade body, UKTram, the LRSSB has already delivered several high-profile initiatives to reduce safety risks. Now, both organisations have agreed in principle to new articles of association and a reconstitution of the LRSSB to increase the involvement of owners, authorities, and operators.
Following the announcement, LRSSB Chief Executive Carl Williams said: “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 and Road, which called for greater transparency and sector representation. 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.”
The changes are designed to help the LRSSB meet the future needs of a growing light rail sector and ensure a more transparent and representative approach to safety.
