Analysis from the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) is assisting the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) in exploring how climate-related hazards affecting Britain’s transport networks are changing. This work has led to the development of a visual resource designed to support discussions regarding climate-related risks to Great Britain’s rail and road infrastructure.
The analysis examined how climate-related hazards have evolved over time, identifying where the most significant changes have occurred. By comparing recent conditions with historical patterns using climate data spanning multiple years across Great Britain, the analysis highlighted regions and seasons that may require closer attention due to potential disruptions to rail and road travel.
The ORR commissioned this work to enhance its independent oversight of how infrastructure managers, such as Network Rail and National Highways, manage weather and climate-related risks. The resource aims to provide a practical basis for focusing regulatory discussions between the ORR and these infrastructure managers, offering independent evidence to assess their approaches.