Track access controller: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 15:37, 30 June 2007

Revision as of 19:53, 31 January 2008

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The post of the Track Access Controller (formerly the Engineering Works Controller - EWC) was created in 1983, and in 1990 they took residence in a control centre based in South-West London. Track Access Controllers must be aware of all safety and traction current arrangements on the tracks they are responsible for, all trains (engineers trains) running, and all works and "protection masters" on the track (see below for definition of protections master).

A protection master is aan NVQ-licensed and certified employee or contractor who works on the track doing any type of engineering work ranging from cleaning the track through to changing rails or re-cabling the network. Any individual working on or around the track environment must be a protection master or have a protection master with them. Protection Masters rely on the Track Access Controller to keep them safe while they are working on the track (safe from traction current as well as moving trains and vehicles).

The post of Track Access Controller is highly sought after, and successful individuals are trained in many aspects of railway management. They are an "Operational manager" grade of London Underground and each must be competent to deal with multi-tasking, emergencies and conflicts of work. Their priorities are safety, completion of engineering work and the safe/timely return of the railway for passenger trains every morning. If you are ever stranded in the morning due to "overrunning of engineering work" you can be sure that a Track Access Controller somewhere is working hard to get the problem resolved for you.

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[[Category:London_undergroundLondon underground]]