Section 8: Over-run Prevention and Mitigation

(Page 2 of 4)

Some of the stop signals identified as having a potentially higher risk of being passed at 'danger' are those located some distance ahead of a station platform (or other distraction), and not visible from the platform. There is a danger that a driver could forget the previous caution aspect while stopped at the station and accelerate away, unable to stop at the next signal when it suddenly comes into view. To help prevent such an occurrence, signs of a new design were installed ahead of Glengarnock station on the Scotland Zone in 1994 [8.14]. Also in 1994, further installations of notice boards to prevent station overshoots were made on the Scotland Zone [8.15].

[8.14] Signal Reminder Board (e.g. refers to signal number PG182).	[8.15] 'Station Ahead' Board (e.g. 1000 yards to Kilpatrick station).

The remodelling of London Paddington in 1993 provided six bi-directionally signalled lines on the approach to the station, numbered 'Line 1' to 'Line 6'. To help drivers identify which signal applies to their train, line reminder boards were installed beside the gantry-mounted signal heads and in the four-foots. These displayed the name of the line within a unique symbol [8.16]. These boards were removed in 2003.

[8.16] Line Reminder Boards (London Paddington, Great Western Zone).

At London Waterloo, line reminder boards were fitted to the backs of signal gantries, above each line. These had black letters on a white background [8.17]. Similar boards were later fitted to the fronts of the gantries, these boards having a yellow background and being larger than those fitted to the backs [8.18].

[8.17] Sign fitted to rear of gantry (e.g. "DN MF" = Down Main Fast).	[8.18] Sign fitted to front of gantry (e.g. "UP MF" = Up Main Fast).

Owing to a number of accidents resulting from SPADs, the 'SPAD indicator' was proposed as a secondary warning device ahead of certain 'high risk' signals. The signals involved have often tended to be platform starting signals that protect junctions. The original form of SPAD indicator, the first of which was installed in 1994 at Meadowhall, displays the word "Stop" vertically in red letters, when activated in the event of the signal being passed at 'danger'. Flashing red lights were illuminated above and below [8.19]. Later SPAD indicators installed in 1996 used a standard three-aspect colour light signal head but with a distinctive blue backboard. All three lenses were red, and the middle one had the word "Stop" written across it. When activated, the top and bottom lights flash and the middle light shows a steady red [8.20]. Further installations made from 1996 onwards discontinued the practice of having the word "Stop" on the middle lens [8.21].

[8.19] SPAD Indicator (original design).	[8.20] SPAD Indicator.	[8.21] SPAD Indicator.

From c.1996, several more 'high risk' signals were provided with signal reminder boards some distance on their approach. The design of sign that was being installed at this time did not state the number of the signal ahead [8.22]. This type of sign was used in the Scotland Zone. There were similar signs in the Midlands Zone, and in some cases an additional plate stated the distance to the signal [8.23].

[8.22] Signal Reminder Board.	[8.23] Signal Reminder Board.

In a few places, a need has been identified that a particular signal should be made more conspicuous. This might be due to problems with mis-reading where signals are positioned alongside one another, or where a signal has a bad record for being passed at 'danger'. The solution most commonly used, for both colour light main signals or position light shunting signals, is to fit a blue and white diagonally striped surround around the signal head [8.24]. In some cases, the signal's identification plate has been replaced by one that has a blue background (see [9.49]).

[8.24] Signal with blue and white striped surround ( (a) - colour light signal; (b) - position light signal ).

Where a signal has been provided with a special surround to make it more conspicuous (see [8.24]), this is usually done in conjunction with other measures, such as the provision of additional signage in the signal's vicinity. In the case of a platform starting signal, there will typically be one or more signs worded "Check Signal" and positioned so as to be visible to a driver in his cab while stopped at the station [8.25 & 8.26].

[8.25] "Check Signal" Sign.	[8.26] "Check Signal" Sign.

In December 1997, line reminder boards were fitted to signal gantries between Manchester Piccadilly and Ardwick Junction. These were large circular boards bearing the initials of the line name concerned [8.27].

[8.27] Line Reminder Sign (e.g. "DE" = Down East line).

From 1998, new signal reminder boards tended to have a yellow background. Two such boards were installed at Bethnal Green (East Anglia Zone) in 1998, one at 200 metres, followed by another at 100 metres before the signal concerned [8.28]. A similar board installed later in 1998 at Shenfield (East Anglia Zone) had a yellow supplementary sign [8.29].

[8.28] Signal Reminder Board (East Anglia Zone).	[8.29] Signal Reminder Board (East Anglia Zone).

In 1998, the Scotland Zone installed more 'Station Ahead' boards, of a new design. Two boards were provided, one after the other [8.30 & 8.31]. The name of the station is not stated on these signs.

[8.30] "Station Ahead" Board (Outer board).	[8.31] "Station Ahead" Board (Inner board).

On the Southern Region, countdown style boards [8.32] were provided to mark the approach to certain stations. The outer board, which has two columns of three diagonal stripes, is erected about three quarters of a mile to the station. The inner board, with two columns of two stripes, is located about half a mile before the station.

[8.32] "Station Ahead" Boards ( (a) - Outer board; (b) - Inner board ).

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