A joint consultation paper, issued in 2010 by the Law Commission for England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission, set out proposals for the review and reform of the UK law on level crossings with the aim of simplifying and modernising the current legal framework. The consultation period has now closed and the outcome is anticipated (www.lawcom.gov.uk/levelcrossings consultation.htm).

Phil Austin, Managing Director of Touchstone Renard, was delighted to visit Singapore in July 2008 to attend a series of meetings at various locations throughout the city state, including the Bishan rail depot which houses special maintenance facilities for rolling stock.

The background to Touchstone Renard’s research on trespasser management In 2007, Touchstone Renard was commissioned to carry out a review of the problem of trespassing and worldwide practice in trespasser management on the railway.

IRIS is the internationally recognised rail industry standard, complementing the quality management standard ISO 9001:2015, but adding railway specific requirements. IRIS is comparable to quality management standards that apply to the aerospace and automotive sectors, enabling rail sector organisations to implement a comprehensive, integrated business management system.