Published 1 April 2023
Network Rail has made a bid to improve communications between signal panels and boxes within each region by devising new phonetic alphabets which draw on local culture and language.
A notice sent to signallers and seen by Railnews says: ‘Following consultation it has been agreed that the London and South East Region (LaSER) Region Specific Phonetic Alphabet (RSPA) will become active from 0001hrs Saturday 1st April 2023. The RSPA will work concurrently with standardised Alphabet as per Rule Book Section G1.
‘The introduction of the LaSER RSPA is a culmination of many hours of work to bring forward a tangible legacy to “2023, British Year of the Dialect”. This RSPA embraces local dialectic idiosyncrasies.
‘As I'm sure your teams are aware, Network Rail have been embracing dialect and local customs in our bid to remain Diversity Relevant in the modern era. The homogenization of language, while ensuring clarity, is diluting cultures nationally and internationally.
‘Network Rail’s policy of multiple RSPAs should go live following a successful trial of LaSER.’
The new alphabet for the London area draws inspiration from the classic BBC comedy series, ‘Only Fools and Horses’, and reads:
A = Arfur; B = Boycie; C = Cushty; D = Denzel; E = Earner;F = Freddie; G = Geezer; H = Hooky; I = Incometax; J = Jubbly; K = Khazi; L = Liquor; M = Marlene; N = Nagshead; O = Occhetti; P = Plonker; Q = Quack; R = Rodney; S = Sullivan; T = Tea; U = Uncle; V = VAT; W = Wally; X = Xwife; Y = Yuppy; Z = Zebedee.
Network Rail added: ‘It is important to note this can only be used for rail communications wholly encompassed within LaSER. In ALL other circumstances users must apply G1 SA.’