# The Railway Safety (2002 Act) (Commencement No.1) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

S.R. 2026/154 · made 12 August 2026 · revised to 12 August 2026

This Order is made by the Department for Infrastructure under section 8(2) of the Railways Safety Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (“2002 Act”).

Made under: Railway Safety Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (Section 8)

PDFs: Printed copy https://openlegislation.uk/railway-safety-2002-act-commencement-no1-order-northern-ireland-2026/pdf/nisr_20260154_en.pdf

## Introductory text

Railways
Made 12th August 2026
The Department for Infrastructure, makes the following Order in exercise of the powers conferred on it by section 8(2) of the Railways Safety Act (Northern Ireland) 2002.

## 1 Citation

This Order may be cited as the Railway Safety (2002 Act) (Commencement No.1) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

## 2 Appointed Day

The day after it is made is the appointed day for the coming into operation of sections 2 and 3 of the Railway Safety Act (Northern Ireland) 2002.

## Signature

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department for Infrastructure on 12 August 2026.
L.S.
Michael Kennedy
A senior officer of the Department for Infrastructure

## Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order is made by the Department for Infrastructure under section 8(2) of the Railways Safety Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (“2002 Act”).
This Order is the first commencement order made under the 2002 Act.
Article 2 brings into operation section 2 and 3 of the 2002 Act on 13 August 2026 for the purpose of making regulations in respect of:
the requirement to obtain departmental approval prior to new works, plant or equipment is brought into use and following alteration to works, plant or equipment.
the reporting of accidents to the Department, to include follow up action and investigation where appropriate.
Article 2 also brings into operation the offence provisions associated with sections 2 and 3 of the 2002 Act, including offences for carrying out works, plant or equipment without the required approval and failing to meet statutory duties relating to accident reporting and investigation.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2026/154 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/railway-safety-2002-act-commencement-no1-order-northern-ireland-2026
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.