GERT8000-P2 Iss 8

In Section 1.1 on ‘Circumstances’ and section 1.2 ‘Exceptions’ when working by pilot must be introduced, changes have been made to enable the circumstances and exceptions to be more easily related. In section 1.2, the wording has been changed to refer to both single and bi-directional lines as the same circumstances can apply in some cases.

In section 3.1 on ‘Authority for movements’, a new sub-section c) has been added to state that a signaller who can clear a signal leading to the single line, or issue a movement authority (MA), must do so. This helps to make sure that the route has been correctly set. This has resulted in a consequential change to section 3.2 ‘Pilot instructing drivers’ because, as the signaller is now instructed to clear a signal or issue an MA when possible, the pilot only has to instruct the driver to pass a signal at danger, or an end of authority (EoA) without an MA, if this is required.

The above changes form part of the suite of general updates issued annually which are intended to improve understanding and application of the content of the Rule Book and provide opportunities for duty holders to operate more efficiently.  

Section 4 in issue seven, ‘Working by pilot to and from the point of obstruction’ has been revised and split into three sub-sections: 4.1 ‘Method’, 4.2 ‘Protection arrangements’ and 4.3 ‘Travelling with the driver’. The changes to wording are aligned with changes made to GERT8000-P1 ‘Single line working’.

The new section 4.1 includes reference to RT3154 and the new section 4.2 includes reference to RT3156 to clarify which paperwork is required in each instance. 

The changes to section 4 have been introduced as part of a project to further reduce the number of use cases for detonators on the GB rail network.