REMOTE CONTROL LEVEL CROSSING PLAN HALTED

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2013 :: RMTnews 8 The Campaign for Trade Union Freedom (TUF) is a merger between the United Campaign for Trade Union Freedom and the Liaison Committee for the Defence of Trade Unions. In the best traditions of these two organisations, TUF will continue to fight to defend and enhance trade union rights, oppose anti-union laws and to promote collective bargaining across the world in the fight against inequality and poverty. It is important that RMT members attend the launch and rally for trade union fr eedom on Saturday,March 23 in the Friends’ Meeting House, 173 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BJ. CAMPAIGN FOR TRADE UNION FREEDOM LAUNCH AND RALLY Saturday, March 23 2013 13:30 to 16:30 hours Friend’s Meeting House, Euston Road, London Confirmed speakers, to date, include RMT general secr etary Bob Crow and CWU general secretary Billy Haye. Speakers invited include, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady, UNITE general secretary Len McCluskey, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis, PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka, NUT general secretary Christine Blower, ASLEF general secretary Mick Whelan, and Roger McKenzie, assistant general secr etary, UNISON. Controversial £25 million plans to remotely control three Shropshire railway level crossings from 123 miles away in Cardiff have been put on hold due to “technical problems”. RMT had called on Network Rail to call a halt to the implementation of the new modular signalling programme which includes the remote operation of level crossings by “radar detection” from centralised rail operating centres. Serious problems have been uncovered on the Crewe- Shrewsbury scheme, forcing the manual signal boxes to be retained but RMT is concerned that this may only be a short- term measure. The current reported problems include barriers on the currently staffed level crossings not being fitted with the correct detectors, which meant that if they were to be operated remotely they would not detect a car underneath. Signals were not reverting to danger for 45 seconds when operated in the trial mode, a potentially lethal delay in the dangerous environment of a level crossing. There were similar delays of 30 seconds with telephone contact to the remote operating centre in trial mod with the same potentially lethal consequences. There were also issues with the remote scanning equipment getting covered in dirt and oil and affecting detection and the system was being operated by a 12V system as opposed to 24V or 48V leading to potential increases in barrier failure due to a lack of power. Network Rail had wanted to shut three staffed signal boxes – at Harlescott Lane in Shrewsbury, Wem and Prees – and replace them with a computerised system managed from a control centre in Cardiff. The project had put the jobs of 35 signalling staff on the Shrewsbury to Crewe railway line at risk. RMT had revealed that serious problems had been uncovered on the Crewe to Shrewsbury scheme, including incorrect detectors fitted to crossings which could not detect cars underneath. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that the union was deeply worried at these reports. “With all the media coverage of deaths on level crossings, and the ever present dangers in the level crossing environment, there can be no excuse for pressing on with a remotely operated system that is so clearly flawed,” he said. Network Rail spokesman John Baker blamed problems at sites in East Anglia for the decision. “This means that, until the technical problems can be ironed out, none of the 35 jobs of signalling staff will be lost on the Crewe to Shrewsbury route for the time being,” he added. Mr Baker also said it was unlikely the modernisation plan would recommence until October. REMOTE CONTROL LEVEL CROSSING PLAN HALTED RMT highlights major safety flaws to experimental remote “radar detection” level crossing programme in Shropshire