According to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) in its annual assessment of HS1, the company has missed expected key performance targets.

The assessment was carried out on High Speed 1 (HS1) Ltd, which manages and operates the high-speed rail link between London and the Channel Tunnel. Although improvements had been made after the regulator raised concerns about asset renewals last year, targets for lift, escalator, and travelator availability were missed, as well as in workforce health and safety and train performance, although the average delay of 7.25 seconds per train is much better than the rest of Britain’s mainline railways.

In its discussions with HS1, the regulator is satisfied that where targets have been missed reasonable steps are being taken to them improve, but is calling for rapid action to address concerns and is continuing to closely monitor the company.

Its assessment of the availability of lifts, escalators, and travelators, which are often critical for passengers with accessibility needs, the found that significant improvements were needed as some were repeatedly out of service. These included some at key locations, especially the only escalator up to an international platform at St Pancras.

In common with industry in general, HS1 is facing supply chain issues. The regulator will continue to working closely with the company to ensure that it is taking all reasonable steps to improve the situation.

Last year, Network Rail (High Speed), which is HS1’s main contractor, missed a target for health and safety on the network and the rate of workplace injuries remained too high. Although most incidents were minor, they were avoidable and mainly due to poor working practices by subcontractors. Network Rail (High Speed) has responded with safety plans that the regulator is closely monitoring but notes there are factors outside HS1’s control such as assaults on staff where there is a rising trend across the wider rail network.

The regulator is satisfied that HS1 has demonstrated that it is challenging Network Rail (High Speed) to make appropriate improvements in this area, but both will be held to account in delivering improvements for their workforce and rail users in the coming year.

The ORR was encouraged that significant improvements have been made to planning and undertaking renewals on a wide range of assets. By efficiently managing renewals, disruption to passengers and freight services is reduced and costs reduced, that ultimately benefits rail users.

Although some expected renewals of equipment and the track were not delivered this year, these were partly due to the non-availability of materials and the effect of industrial action. These were risk-assessed and steps were taken to mitigate their impact on the performance of the railway. In addition, some track projects were deferred into the next funding period for legitimate asset management reasons.

In conclusion, the ORR stated that it will continue to work closely with HS1 to ensure that future renewal plans are sustainable, efficient, and deliverable.

Feras Alshaker, Director of Railway Planning and Performance at ORR, said: “Our report shows a disappointing experience for the rail users and train operators using HS1’s stations. ORR has been actively working with HS1 and we are satisfied that HS1’s plans to address these concerns are proportionate and deliverable.

“HS1 must now work rapidly to ensure its plans are implemented successfully.”