Rail Safety Week will return next year, running from Monday 15 to Sunday 21 June 2026, as Rail Forum once again brings the industry together to champion safety for rail workers, passengers and the wider public.
RSW is an industry-led initiative designed to share best practice, encourage collaboration and highlight the importance of safety across all parts of the network. Rail Forum has confirmed Carlisle Support Services as the 2026 Headline Sponsor.
Steve Cere, Director of Rail Strategy at Carlisle Support Services, said: “Rail Safety Week is about uniting the industry to protect our people, our passengers and our communities. As a proud sponsor, Carlisle is committed to supporting a culture of shared responsibility, continuous learning, and proactive prevention of accidents and fatalities.”
Rail Forum has also appointed Richard Hines, Director of Railway Safety and HM Chief Inspector of Railways at the Office of Rail and Road, as Chair of the RSW Steering Group. He will work alongside Rail Forum’s communications lead and industry representatives to shape the strategic direction of next year’s programme. He succeeds Simon Higgens, who has played a central role in the initiative since 2023.
Richard Hines said: “As HM Chief Inspector of Railways, I’m looking forward to chairing the Rail Safety Week Steering Group — it’s a fantastic opportunity to bring the industry together around our shared commitment to deliver a healthier and safer railway. I’m really grateful to Simon Higgens for his leadership of the group over the last 3 years. I’d like to encourage all organisations, large and small, to get involved, share best practice, and continue to drive a culture where health and safety is always at the forefront of everything we do.”
Jemma Smalls, Communications, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Rail Forum and Communications Lead for RSW, added: “Thank you to each of the almost 250 organisations who supported Rail Safety Week 2025. Safety doesn’t start and stop with Rail Safety Week, but we are proud to be the custodians of this important initiative. The support from across the industry is what makes Rail Safety Week so impactful – let’s keep building a strong safety culture and ensure everyone gets home safe every day.”
With around 200 days to go, Rail Forum is encouraging organisations to begin planning their activities for 2026. Some, including Northern and its Community Rail Partnerships, have already started work on next year’s campaign.
Branded templates and guidance for getting involved are available at railsafetyweek.org, along with highlights from the 2025 programme.
