Consultation outcome
We have now considered the comments received from stakeholders and conducted our assessment of the detailed safety and technical information provided in support of the exemption application. We have concluded that an exemption with conditions should be granted.
We invited comments on an exemption application we received from Network Rail Infrastructure Limited and The Chiltern Railway Company Limited (CRCL), for exemption from the law which requires the provision of automatic train protection (ATP). The application relates to specific CRCL trains operating on Chiltern routes, south of Aynho Junction.
The application sought to allow the existing Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system to be used until 30 June 2024 as the existing ATP equipment on some trains ceased to operate and then would be subsequently disconnected. The TPWS equipment would be progressively upgraded to 'enhanced TPWS' with it operating on all relevant trains by 31 December 2027.
The Railway Safety Regulations 1999 require infrastructure managers and train operators only to permit the operation of trains with train protection equipment fitted. This is equipment which can stop a train if it passes a red signal, or if it approaches a red signal at too high a speed, or drives too fast. Where it is reasonably practicable to fit ATP this must be used.
A version of ATP was fitted to many of the routes south of Aynho Junction. That equipment had begun to become obsolete and couldn’t be replaced. The applicants proposed to continue relying on the existing TPWS equipment (in instances where current ATP equipment became irreparable) which also protects trains from passing red signals, but without the full over-speeding prevention functionality of ATP systems. Its 'enhancement' would increase the locations where it operates.
June 2020 consultation
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Two rail companies applied to ORR for exemption from the law which requires the provision of automatic train protection (ATP). The application relates to specific Chiltern Railways trains operating on Chiltern routes, south of Aynho Junction.
This consultation invited the public or any party to express a view on the application: in making our decision ORR will consider all views. Full details are set out in the documents listed on this page.
The applicants were:
- Network Rail Infrastructure Limited
- The Chiltern Railway Company Limited ("Chiltern Railways")
The application sought to allow the existing Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system to be used until 30 June 2024 as the existing ATP equipment on some trains ceases to operate is disconnected. The TPWS equipment will be progressively upgraded to 'enhanced TPWS' with it operating on all relevant trains by 31 December 2027.
The Railway Safety Regulations 1999 require infrastructure managers and train operators only to permit the operation of trains with train protection equipment fitted. This is equipment which can stop a train if it passes a red signal, or if it approaches a red signal at too high a speed, or drives too fast. Where it is reasonably practicable to fit ATP this must be used. ORR may, at our discretion, grant an exemption to this law, and we are obliged to conduct a public consultation to assist our considerations.
A version of ATP is fitted to many of the Chiltern Railway's routes south of Aynho Junction. That equipment is now becoming obsolete and cannot be replaced. The applicants propose to continue relying on the existing TPWS equipment (in instances where current ATP equipment becomes irreparable) which also protects trains from passing red signals, but without the full over-speeding prevention functionality of ATP systems. Its 'enhancement' will increase the locations where it operates.
The applicants' detailed proposals and safety arguments can be found in the application. The application documents refer to the exemption commencing 1 July 2020. Please note that the estimated date of commencement is 31 July 2020.
Consultation documents
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Published 17 June 2020
- Chiltern Route Train Protection - Railway Safety Regulations 1999 Exemption Application Report
- Railway Safety Regulations 1999 Exemption Application Covering Letter from Network Rail
- Chiltern Railways SELCAB ATP Short Term RSR 1999 Exemption Summary Report
- Sotera Risk Solutions Report for Chiltern Railways - Risk Assessment of Chiltern Railways' ATP Obsolescence
- Chiltern Railways SELCAB ATP Removal Assessment of Verification Route
- Sotera Risk Solutions Report for Network Rail - Option selection report for the Chiltern Train Protection Strategy
- Mott MacDonald Options for Interim Solution on Chiltern ATP Routes; Options Review Report, March 2015
- Sotera Risk Solutions Report for Network Rail - Risk Assessment of the Chiltern Train Protection Strategy
- Chiltern Railways & Network Rail - Chiltern Route Train Protection - Railway Safety Regulations 1999 Exemption Operational Safety Plan
- WSP Report - Network Rail Chilterns ATP Significance Test
- Letter of support to Network Rail from Chiltern Railways to the Railway Safety Regulations 1999 exemption application