Area Events Round-up
We kicked off the second quarter of the year with very busy Area Councils, hosting a combination of engaging, insightful visits and in-person, online, and hybrid events. We would like to thank all our volunteers working behind the scenes to deliver these events. training facility designed to simulate real railway incidents and strengthen collaboration between operators and emergency services. This was followed by a“ lunch and learn” session on the East Midlands Route’ s performance improvement journey, during which attendees explored how the route has delivered performance improvements over the last year. A second session focused on GTR’ s strategic timetable development and performance interventions, analysing ways to enhance timetable reliability through improved scheduling and targeted operational interventions.
Visits were also made to the HS2 Curzon Street site, offering insight into progress, infrastructure development, and future operational design, and to Birmingham New Street station, highlighting the coordination and operations required to keep services and passengers moving safely and smoothly.
CIRO North East Area Event- The Power of Open Access
Early in the year, the North East Area Council hosted an engaging hybrid session on the power of open access. Jen Clare, Operations Director at Lumo, delivered one of the rail industry’ s most talked-about topics. Jen shared insights into how open access is driving competition, improving value for customers, and supporting regional growth and connectivity. She reflected on Lumo’ s journey so far, highlighting its lean structure, strong culture, and emphasis on accountability and collaboration.
A key theme throughout was people. From recruiting individuals who align with Lumo’ s values to investing in employee development and embracing inclusivity, employees are at the heart of the company’ s success. With expansion plans underway, including the new Stirling service, the session concluded with a lively Q & A.
The North West & Wales Area Council hosted a hybrid session on designing an operable railway, focusing on integrating the operator’ s voice at the earliest design stages to ensure efficiency, safety, and long-term performance.
In the South West & Wales, members welcomed HM Chief Inspector of Railways, Richard Hines, who shared insight into industry-wide safety priorities, regulations, and challenges.
Meanwhile, the North East Area Council gave a tour of Heaton Train Maintenance Depot, with Class 156 and Class 158 diesel multiple units operated by Northern. The Scottish Area Council’ s first Railway Quiz provided an opportunity for members to connect, test their industry knowledge, and strengthen professional networks.
The South East Area Council delivered a session on transforming the South Western network, highlighting improvements, operational changes, and future ambitions to enhance performance and customer experience.
Members joined the Irish Area Council for an online session exploring Irish Rail’ s 2040 Railfreight Strategy, through the workstreams and capital investments underway to bring this to life.
Other Area Council Events …
The Midlands Area Council organised a visit to the Birmingham Rail Resilience Hub, an advanced
Missed an event? Catch up anytime with our ondemand recordings on CIRO TV via the Members’ Portal, and don’ t forget to check the website for what’ s coming up next:
“ Informative, engaging, funny, relaxed and enjoyable”.
8 CIRO | Bulletin 57