8 April 2014
HS2 Ltd joins rail industry body RSSB
Safety is paramount on the railways and the new north-south high speed rail network
will very much build on the industry’s best practice. To ensure the highest safety
measures are put in place as the project develops, HS2 Ltd is joining RSSB to benefit
from the expertise on risk analysis, standards and research.
HS2 Ltd’s Technical Director, Andrew McNaughton said:
“This is another important step in the development of a world-class 21st century railway
system that will bring huge benefits for the country. HS2 will free up much-needed space
on our current network, shorten journey times between our biggest cities and deliver jobs
and regeneration opportunities. It is one of our Strategic Requirements to design HS2 so
that it will operate at a level of safety regarded as world-leading not just when it opens
but throughout the century to come. The know-how of our colleagues, through RSSB,
will be invaluable in securing this.”
RSSB’s chief executive Chris Fenton said:
‘2026 may seem like a long way off, but the manner in which HS2’s infrastructure
operates tomorrow needs to be considered today. Through RSSB, we can support HS2
in designing in safety and efficiency into its interfaces by providing access to industry’s
shared knowledge base, data, analysis, standards, research, development and
innovation as well as involving HS2 Ltd in tackling cross-industry challenges. I’m
delighted to welcome HS2 Ltd into our membership.’
Becoming a member of RSSB means that HS2 Ltd links up with Network Rail, the train
and freight operating companies, rolling stock leasing companies (ROSCOs)
infrastructure contractors and suppliers in contributing to cross-industry collaboration to
improve the rail system as a whole, as well as accessing a shared capacity to understand
risk, guide standards and manage research, development and innovation.
RSSB Block 2 Angel Square 1 Torrens Street London EC1V 1NY
Telephone: +44 (0)20 3142 5300 Facsimilie: +44 (0)20 3142 5301 www.rssb.co.uk
Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited Registered Office: Block 2 Angel Square 1 Torrens Street London EC1V 1NY Registered in England No. 04655675
The company joins the rail industry body in the ‘infrastructure manager’ category and it
will be an opportunity to determine how the new rail link will work in practice while
designing in critical characteristics such as safety.
HS2 Ltd is the company responsible for developing and promoting the UK’s new high
speed rail network. Its current projection suggests construction of the LondonBirmingham section could begin in 2017, with the route opening towards the end of 2026.
Rail industry leaders see HS2 as a crucial contribution to increasing capacity for the
railway and a long term investment in modernising the nation’s transport system.
-EndsFor further information, please contact RSSB’s press office, on 020 3142 5330/1/2 or
email pressoffice@rssb.co.uk or visit the website at www.rssb.co.uk
Notes to editors:
1) About RSSB
We help the industry understand risk, guide standards, manage research, development and
innovation and collaborate to improve.
The rail industry in Britain is made up of many different organisations, but they all form a system
and share a common purpose, to move people and freight safely and efficiently by rail. RSSB bring
all parts of this system together to support shared decisions, products and services, to help
industry drive out unnecessary cost, improve business performance and develop long-term
strategy.
Our activities involve:
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Understanding risk – Using safety intelligence from across the rail industry and elsewhere
with the latest risk modelling to inform members and support safe decision making.
Guiding standards – Creating, reviewing and simplifying GB standards to align with
European requirements; managing the Rule Book and making it easier for the railway to
deliver efficiently and safely.
Managing research, development and innovation – Undertaking, commissioning and
managing research and innovation programmes to address current needs, provide
knowledge for decision making now and for the future, and promoting step changes to
deliver the Rail Technical Strategy.
Collaborating to improve – As an independent cross-industry body with a critical mass of
technical expertise, supporting activities which require collaboration. These range from
supplier assurance schemes (RISQS, RISAS) to confidential reporting (CIRAS), from
health and wellbeing strategies to sustainability principles.
RSSB Block 2 Angel Square 1 Torrens Street London EC1V 1NY
Telephone: +44 (0)20 3142 5300 Facsimilie: +44 (0)20 3142 5301 www.rssb.co.uk
Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited Registered Office: Block 2 Angel Square 1 Torrens Street London EC1V 1NY Registered in England No. 04655675
We are run by the industry, for the industry, with member companies from across the mainline
system. The demand for our services comes from the industry itself, and from the involvement of
cross-industry groups. For more information go to www.rssb.co.uk
HS2 Ltd
 HS2 Ltd is the company responsible for developing and promoting the first phase of the high
speed rail network from London to the West Midlands. It is undertaking the engineering, design
and environmental work for this.
 Parliament will need to give permission to build and operate HS2 through a specific type of bill,
called a hybrid bill. The bill for the first phase of HS2 was deposited on 25 November 2013.
 In 2012, HS2 Ltd submitted proposals to the Secretary of State for the second part of the
network from the West Midlands to Leeds and Manchester. The Government announced its
initial preferred route to Leeds and Manchester on 28 January 2013 and a consultation ran until
31 January 2014.
 HS2 Ltd is a company wholly owned by the Department for Transport (DfT).
RSSB Block 2 Angel Square 1 Torrens Street London EC1V 1NY
Telephone: +44 (0)20 3142 5300 Facsimilie: +44 (0)20 3142 5301 www.rssb.co.uk
Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited Registered Office: Block 2 Angel Square 1 Torrens Street London EC1V 1NY Registered in England No. 04655675