wrote in message
oups.com...
If the failure occurs in a 'controlled area', it's likely points will
need securing by hand ('remote securing' is generally confined to the
tube lines).

Is it???


Response times are not helped by:

Stations that are unstaffed.

Never come across that one as a reason for a delay regarding signal failure.
You must remember that not all signals are located next to stations. If
securing points is required a long walk can be needed.....it takes time.


Stations with staff that are medically-restricted from going on the
track.

Cant leave a station with no one competent to go on the track.....never had
this as a reason, like above.

Stations with staff that are quite competant but whose authorising
licence is out of date.

Same as above, If the licence is out of date they cant be in safety critical
areas. It does happen for various reasons, mainly being sick when Annual
Test Of Rules, (ATOR) is due. Its your responsibility to keep licence up to
date and if not done you could be stood down...no pay. Its never happened in
my experience that this has been a reason for an extended delay.

Stations with staff that simply claim they don't feel competant to
carry out the task (this is apparently acceptable under the Health
n-Safety culture/scam of today).

If anyone said that to me i'd want to know why they signed in stating they
were fit for duty. Sure, as in all workforces people do get sick on duty and
Murphy said its bound to happen as soon as this happens. You aren't
competent??? Re-training and or redeployment. BUT, would you want to go down
next to 630v with someone who says "i'm not sure about what i'm doing"

Stations with staff that want traction current turned off first,
extending the delay and plunging trains into near darkness (this is
mandatory in a few restricted areas, but not at all locations).

Turning off traction current takes seconds as does restoring it. Will not
extend a delay by more than a minute. Trains do not go into "near darkness"
as they all have battery lights in each car AND tunnel lighting comes on
automatically.
If someone wants power off....thats fine with me, its the actions after that
count. You cant frighten people into working in an area they consider
dangerous to themselves.

Stations with staff unfamiliar with the area - i.e. unable to find
points concerned or who secure the wrong set, or in the wrong
direction.

Station staff must be familiarised with the area they work every 6 months.
The people involved in going on the track would be Supervisor or Duty
Manager. These people know the area more than say barrier staff would (but
not always - but generally these are newer staff members)- Finding a set of
points is actually pretty simple - just follow the 2 silver things on the
floor. Before going on the track a briefing is held to ensure all concerned
know where they go, which points and which way. (Could save time with no
briefing but false economy and dangerous - wont happen and nor should it).
Problems start when you get to the points and they are set the wrong way -
after all thats why you are there in the first place - a failure.

Apart from that, it's all plain-sailing!

No its not. Each thing takes only minutes - but add them together and it all
adds up. And the Supervisor may be above ground on a deep tube so it all
takes time and he has a station full of people all asking questions as well.
As someone said above, then its slow speed for 2 signals and the trains back
up behind real quick.


Mal