Permissive Working (railway)

The smaller signal arm is a 'Calling On' signal, which when showing 'Proceed' allows a train to enter a section already occupied by another train

Permissive Working on the UK railway allows more than one train at a time to be on the same line in a block section, a signal section or a dead-end platform line.

Authorisation

The areas where Permissive Working is allowed are given in Table A of the Network Rail Sectional Appendix.

Exceptions

Even where it is not authorised, a shunting movement can be allowed to enter a portion of line that is already occupied providing that it is for the purpose of:

• attaching vehicles
• detaching vehicles
• removing vehicles.

Driving towards another train

When it is permitted to drive a train towards the rear of another train which is moving forward, such as where trains queue to enter or exit a depot, the driver must:

• proceed with caution
• keep sufficient distance from the train in front to prevent his train colliding with that train in case it stops
• not pass a signal which has been cleared for the train in front until it has been replaced to danger and then cleared for his movement.