LRSSB leader pledges even more sector support in 2025

Carl Williams, Chief Executive of the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board, has stressed that the organisation will also continue to evolve in line with the sector’s needs while stepping up collaboration with its strategic partners, including the Office of Rail and Road and other key stakeholders.

In a New Year message, he also celebrates landmark achievements in 2024, including further enhancements to its pioneering Tram Accident and Incident Reporting (TAIR) system, improved risk modelling, and updates to dozens of safety guidance documents.

“While we have accomplished a lot over the past year, we are determined to deliver even more for the sector in 2025,” he said.

“A positive update meeting with the ORR just before Christmas demonstrated the importance being placed on our ongoing commitment to continuously improving TAIR and risk modelling across the sector.

“It also underlined the next steps we need to take in our crucial work with both the ORR and the Department for Transport to reconfigure the LRSSB's governance arrangements. 

“That a role exists for the LRSSB is now beyond question and there is clear evidence to demonstrate that, by working with, and alongside, the sector we are increasingly bringing forward standards and guidance which, if universally adopted, will significantly enhance light rail safety.

“In coming months, the sector can also expect to receive updates on a broad range of innovative projects, including research into technology that uses vibrations to alert pedestrians of an approaching tram, and enhancements to virtual reality software used for driver training.

“We also expect to reach another milestone in the spring of this year when our sector-wide model is refreshed to reveal an updated profile of the risks faced by networks, while our national pedestrian safety campaign will also step up a gear as it is adopted by more networks across the country.

“Of course, we will continue to keep stakeholders updated on these and other initiatives through our usual channels, including our popular series of podcasts that have proved a huge hit since they were launched in 2024.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes for 2025 to colleagues and partners from across the sector as we look forward to what promises to be another transformative year for light rail safety.”