NETWORK RAIL – EDINBURGH INITIATE GO LIVE

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular NP/188/25

6^th November 2025

 

To: ALL NETWORK RAIL MEMBERS

 

 

Dear Colleague

 

NETWORK RAIL – EDINBURGH INITIATE GO LIVE 

 

Following receipt of a  a report from the lead officer recommending that the union formally writes to Network Rail requesting a joint meeting of all relevant councils to discuss and consult on the proposed introduction of Initiate as a secondary protection measure for engineering work conducted under T3 and Line Blockage conditions, your National Executive Committee, at its meeting on 14^th October 2025, noted and adopted the following report from its health and safety subcommittee:

 

We note the report on file from lead safety representative Bro. Knibb for which he is thanked, concerning the use of initiate for line blockages, which had not been subject to prior consultation.

 

We believe that moving from the trial phase to business as usual cannot proceed until all the national Councils have been informed of the trial outcomes, the proposed roles and responsibilities, and any local agreements for business as usual. We further believe that this is a breach of process, as Initiate weas only meant for Possessions.

 

The General Secretary is instructed to formally write to Network Rail requesting a joint meeting of all relevant councils, the National Operations Council (NOC), National Maintenance Council (NMC), and National Safety Council (NSC) to discuss and consult on the proposed introduction of Initiate as a secondary protection measure for engineering work conducted under T3 and Line Blockage conditions. As part of this request, any proposed changes to existing roles, responsibilities, or the creation of new roles be subject to consultation and negotiation through the appropriate council(s). We can proceed no further until there has been a joint Council meeting and full consultation.

 

The General Secretary is further instructed to contact Network Rail members in Scotland to thank them for their proactive engagement in efforts to improve staff safety during railway maintenance activities, and to encourage them to share any feedback regarding Initiate with their Local and Route Representatives.

 

Branches and Regional Councils to be notified.

 

 

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

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

Eddie Dempsey

General Secretary