NETWORK RAIL – NW&C INCREMENTAL INCREASE IN SPEED FOLLOWING BUMP REPORTS

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular NP/210/25

28^th November 2025

 

To: All Secretaries Branches and Regional Councils

 

 

Dear Colleague

 

NETWORK RAIL – NW&C INCREMENTAL INCREASE IN SPEED FOLLOWING BUMP REPORTS

 

I have received a report from the Lead Officer relating to a trial taking place across the North West and Central region which involves incremental speed increases following track bump reports. No advance notice of the trial was received and there has been no consultation with RMT over this trial which introduces a system of work that erodes long-standing, proven safety practices. 

 

At its meeting on 20^th November 2025, your National Executive Committee (NEC) resolved as follows:

 

We note the report from the lead officer relating to a trial taking place across the North West and Central region which involves incremental speed increases following track bump reports.

 

We are concerned that:

According to the supporting documentation we have received, once three trains have passed over the affected area at progressively reduced speeds without further incident, subsequent trains are permitted to operate at Table A line speed; without the track being inspected by a competent person, provided no additional reports are received

 

This trial appears to be a direct consequence of Network Rail’s “Modernising Maintenance” initiative, which is now impacting operational safety and increasing the workload of our Signallers and SSM's

 

RMT have not been notified of this trial nor consulted prior to its implementation. 

We instruct the General Secretary to advise members to invoke the "Work Safe" procedure if they believe they are in serious and imminent danger or the infrastructure is compromised because of this trial. 

 

Given RMT have not been consulted on this trial - and because of the potential safety risks, we instruct the General Secretary to write to Network Rail demanding the immediate withdrawal of the trial - and reminding them that we have an agreed bargaining procedure that should be utilised to consult with us on such trials. We also instruct the General Secretary to write to RSSB to express frustration at them not having made RMT aware of the trial and not inviting RMT to take part in the trial. 

 

Relevant members to be notified via text and email, with supporting information also to be shared with them to raise awareness. 

 

Branches and Regional Councils to be notified accordingly. 

 

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