Priority Projects

The Wagon Condition Programme was a unique, two-year initiative supported across the rail freight industry, and a one of the priority projects of the Freight Safe Programme (FSP). It was completed in July 2026.

The programme was established to improve wagon safety by enhancing existing maintenance and train preparation practices, complimenting existing industry activity.

It explored on a rational and evidence-based approach whether industry controls were adequate, what might need to change and to what extent the change needed to happen to ensure a proportionate response to a perception that the condition of freight wagons was of concern. It was supported by independent specialists and worked with freight operators, wagon owners, ECMs and wider industry stakeholders whose expertise, collaboration and commitment have been central to its success.

To find out more visit our Guidance page:

The Freight Safe Programme has partnered with RSSB on Safe Insights, a new AI-powered safety reporting platform replacing the Safety Management Intelligence System (SMIS).

Built to be more user-friendly and time-efficient, Safe Insights will support improved safety reporting across rail freight.

Find out more in the Freight Safe Insights update:

The Freight Emerging Risks Scanning Service helps the rail freight industry safeguard against future risks.

Developed over 18 months by the Freight Safe Programme with RSSB, the service helps freight operators identify, understand and respond to emerging risks including cyber threats, geopolitical instability and extreme weather.

It provides briefings and practical support to help organisations interpret and act on risk information. It is a key Freight Safe Programme priority, supported by freight operators, Network Rail, RSSB and other stakeholders.

The first Freight Emerging Risks Horizon Scanning Brief was released in September 2025; 2026 is the first full year of production.

The Freight Safe Programme has launched a Climate Change Risk Assessment Model to help the UK rail freight industry identify and manage safety risks from climate change across multi-user freight sites.

Developed through the Freight Safe Programme’s Climate Change Project, with Freight Safety Improvement Programme funding, the model is now available to all rail freight operating companies via the RSSB website.

It provides a practical, standardised way to assess risks linked to extreme temperatures, flooding, high winds, drought and sea level rise.