50894 Missing speed boards at Peckham Rye junction

September 2012 in Network Rail and Suppliers

Infrastructure Method of working South East

Could Network Rail clarify:

• Why speed boards have been removed and not replaced?
• Why all Drivers on this route have not been informed of the missing speed boards?
• What action will be taken to prevent this issue reoccurring?

Could Southern Rail:

• Remind staff to report any missing speed boards to Network Rail?

Response from Network Rail

Network Rail would like to thank the reporter for bringing their concerns to our attention.

Could Network Rail clarify why speed boards have been removed and not replaced?

Renewals had been planned to be carried out in week two on the Switches and Crossings (S&C) at Crofton Road, which would have involved replacing the S&C on both the Up and Down Atlantic Line (ELR: ATL) and the Up and Down Catford Loop (ELR: CAT). However, this work was cancelled and no digging was done, either on this S&C or adjacent to this speed board, on the Portsmouth Lines. The Tester In Charge (TIC) had no test logs to suggest any missing speed boards and the whole area was signed back in with no issues on 10 April 2012.

Following this there was then a plain line renewal carried out on the Up CAT lines between 4m 1510y - 5m 0328y, known as Peckham Rye to Crofton Road. The reporter states that this speed board was missing from the Up Portsmouth Line, which was not on this renewal road but could have been damaged by the construction activities, and if so, it wasn't reported at the time.

Could Network Rail clarify why all Drivers on this route have not been informed of missing speed boards?

This was not reported to the Tonbridge depot until 21 May 12, at which point a local investigation was undertaken. It could not be determined in the depot as to who may have been responsible, but immediate offers were made to reinstate the board by the contractor. If this issue had been brought to the depot attention immediately the action to resolve it would have also been swift. Unfortunately as the depot knew nothing of it we could not react.

Could Network Rail clarify what action will be taken to prevent this issue reoccurring?

Within this depot, during pre-work inspections, a full survey must be carried out to check that existing infrastructure remains unaffected, and if damaged by passing plant it is reported and restored to design. Regardless of whether this is outside of the renewal site, any risk must be assessed and appropriate resource made available to verify, before and after works, so that any accidental damage is repaired prior to hand- back of any lines used for access.

Response from Southern

Southern thank the reporter for bringing this matter to our attention.  Staff, including Drivers, are asked to report faults. OurTrain Driving CompetenceStandardsand guidance issued to Drivers encompasses the requirement to report faults.  Southern also has, as part of its safety management system, a fault reporting procedure for employees to use. 

In light of the reporter's request we will include a reminder in a future issue of our bi-monthlyTrain Crew Matterspublication and the article will highlight the importance of reporting faults/concerns like this as well as issues linked to sunlight, Driver Only Operations (DOO) mirrors and other lineside encroachments.