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Section 13: Permanent Speed Restriction Signs

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The Class 221 'Voyagers' and Class 390 'Pendolinos' possess different tilt capabilities (6° tilt for the former and 8° tilt for the latter). To take account of this it was proposed that differential Enhanced Permissible Speeds should apply at certain locations. The experimental differential EPS signs [13.86] were put on trial in 2002 in the Norton Bridge area. The top figure (lower speed) applies to Class 221 trains and the bottom figure (higher speed) applies to Class 390 trains. Experimental differential EPS warning indicators [13.87] were erected in rear of each speed sign. Note that for reasons of space, the letters "EPS" are not shown on the differential signs, but they do retain their distinctive yellow backgrounds. Both forms of experimental sign were installed immediately underneath existing standard style speed restriction signs or warning indicators.

[13.86] Experimental Differential EPS Sign (subsequently adopted as standard).	[13.87] Experimental Differential EPS Warning Indicator (subsequently adopted as standard).

In 2003, the blanket speed restriction over all lines approaching London Paddington (imposed following the Ladbroke Grove accident of 5 October 1999) was raised from 25 m.p.h. to 40 m.p.h. The new warning indicators showing the revised speed each had a plate fitted above, worded "All Lines" [13.88]. Rather than individual warning indicators being installed adjacent to each line, some of these indicators apply to both the lines they are situated between.

[13.88] Warning Indicator applicable to a blanket speed restriction (London Paddington).

Further speed restriction signs showing speeds in both imperial and metric units were provided in 2003 in connection with the opening of Section 1 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL). These differed from the original ones (see [13.65]) in that the imperial signs were to the standard pattern that omits the units "MPH" (see [13.34]). The metric signs continued to carry the units "KMH". The CTRL itself has no lineside speed restriction signs as the permissible speed is displayed in the cab.

In 2003, new standard forms of metric speed restriction sign [13.89] and warning indicator [13.90 & 13.91] were introduced in which the units "KMH" were omitted. The black background alone now indicates that metric units apply.

[13.89] Metric Permanent Speed Restriction Sign.	[13.90] Metric Warning Indicator.	[13.91] Metric Warning Indicator.

Metric versions of signs for standard differential [13.92 & 13.93] and non-standard differential [13.94 - 13.96] speed restrictions were also introduced.

[13.92] Metric Standard Differential Permanent Speed Restriction Sign.	[13.93] Metric Warning Indicator applicable to a standard differential permanent speed restriction.

[13.94] Metric Non-standard Differential Permanent Speed Restriction Sign.	[13.95] Metric Non-standard Differential Permanent Speed Restriction Sign.	[13.96] Metric Warning Indicator applicable to a non-standard differential permanent speed restriction.

Also in 2003, the standard design of warning indicator associated with an Enhanced Permissible Speed was altered in shape [13.97], to become the same shape as the differential EPS warning indicator that was previously on trial (see [13.87]).

[13.97] EPS Warning Indicator.

As mentioned earlier, an EPS warning indicator, where provided, will always be accompanied by a standard permissible speed warning indicator. A new range of standard permissible speed warning indicators [13.98 - 13.100] was introduced in 2003, for use only in an area of limited clearance and in conjunction with an EPS warning indicator.

[13.98] Warning Indicator applicable to a standard differential permanent speed restriction.	[13.99] Warning Indicator applicable to a non-standard differential permanent speed restriction.	[13.100] Warning Indicator applicable to a non-standard differential permanent speed restriction (combined).

In 2009, reflectorised yellow 'cut-out' style speed restriction signs (see [13.12]) were placed directly above standard circular speed signs (see [13.34]) at some locations between St. Johns and Hither Green. This was done as a trial to allow the visibility of the signs to be compared in different conditions, including having graffiti on them.

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