GREATER ANGLIA SAFETY CRITICAL STATUS OF TRTS – BEAULIEU PARK (CHELMSFORD) AND CAMBRIDGE SOUTH STATIONS

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular: NP/271/24

13^th November 2024

To: The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague

 

GREATER ANGLIA SAFETY CRITICAL STATUS OF TRTS – BEAULIEU PARK (CHELMSFORD) AND CAMBRIDGE SOUTH STATIONS

 

I have received a report from your lead officer noting that the method of operation to be used at two new stations that are planned (at present) to be opened in 2025 and operated by Greater Anglia has become contested following what the union views as a degraded method of operation during management-grade strike breaking during the Defend Jobs, Pay & Condition – TOCs national dispute. In particular, the necessity of Train Ready to Start (TRTS) controls have been set out by Greater Anglia’s Head of Risk and Assurance as not be explicitly mentioned as a safety critical task.

 

The placement of TRTS controls at stations are designed to provide a line of sight and indication to both signaller and driver of the safety status of the train-platform interface and are often located in positions which allow dispatchers to give the TRTS indication where the signaller and driver are not ideally positioned to do so.

 

Beaulieu Park (Chelmsford) has a TRTS panel, and it would be a prudent measure for a train dispatcher to make use of it. At the moment Greater Anglia has stated its position that there will be no train dispatcher at either station as trains are not currently being planned to begin or terminate at these stations. RMT does not believe this will be the case for Beaulieu Park (Chelmsford).

 

            At its meeting on 7^th November 2024, your National Executive Committee noted and adopted the following report from its health and safety sub-committee:

 

We note the lead officer’s report for which she is thanked. We further note that the necessity of Train Ready to Start (TRTS) controls are not explicitly mentioned as a safety critical task by the company’s Head of Risk and Assurance in relation to the two new stations presently planned to be opened in 2025.

 

The General Secretary is instructed to write to the ORR and the case stated for the maintenance of TRTS and train dispatch where the facilities exist with a view to this enhanced safety measure and duty being rostered at Beaulieu Park.

 

Relevant members, branches and regional councils to be informed.

 

I am acting in line with these instructions; please bring this circular to the attention of all relevant members.

 

            Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Michael Lynch 

General Secretary