Regulator Profile

ORR

Office of Rail and Road

Enforcement Regulator

4

Areas of regulation

11

Laws enforced

UK-wide

Quick links

Visit official website Email ORR Call 020 7282 2000

Access Rights Consumer Protection Economic Regulation Rail Safety

What ORR does

Independent safety and economic regulator for Britain's railways. Regulates health and safety for the mainline rail network, London Underground, light rail, trams, and heritage railways. Also monitors National Highways' performance and efficiency. Competition authority for railways and enforces consumer protection law for rail passengers.

Additional information

Key functions: rail safety regulation, track access, passenger rights. Role changing with Railways Bill 2025 and Great British Railways creation.

Legal framework

Legislation that ORR enforces.

Primary legislation

• Civil Aviation Act 2012 Act 2012
• Aviation Security Act 1982 Act 1982
• Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1992 Act 1992
• Harbours Act 1964 Act 1964
• Maritime Security Act 1990 Act 1990

Secondary legislation

• Air Navigation Order 2016 UK Statutory Instrument 2016
• Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 UK Statutory Instrument 2009
• Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Regulations 2022 UK Statutory Instrument 2022
• Merchant Shipping (STCW) Regulations 2022 UK Statutory Instrument 2022
• Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998 UK Statutory Instrument 1998
• The River Humber (Upper Burcom Cooling Works) Order 1994 UK Statutory Instrument 1994

Sectors regulated

Railways