Confusion between ATC LVPs and LV Safeguarding...
We found it necessary some time ago to split out the twin conditions of Low Vis Safeguarding being in place and ATC carrying out their Low Vis Procedures.
In order to protect the Localizer and Glideslope signals, we (aerodrome management) place barriers and issue warnings to prevent vehicles and aircraft from accidentally penetrating the Sensitive Areas - yes, Glideslopes have them, too. At LGW we do this as the RVR becomes 800m and is expected to fall to 600m and/or cloud ceiling becomes 300' and is expected to fall to 200'. We also assure that a standby power supply for the runway lighting and the ILS is capable of switching over within the timeframe required - one second normally.
Only once all the above is in place, can ATC declare that their Low Vis Procedures are in force, that is, they will increase the separation of aircraft to ensure that there is no preceding a/c within the Sensitive areas, whether approaching, vacating or departing, when a landing aircraft is within 2 miles.
Now, we used to hop about the airfield taking the safeguarding off every time the cloud lifted and causing delays whilst we put it back every time it went down again, when the Safeguarding and Procedures we all one and the same. By taking a common-sense approach, we now apply the safeguarding at the onset of poorer weather and only remove it when all danger of Low Vis has passed. Thus, ATC can move in and out of their procedures at will, knowing the aerodrome is Safeguarded. This means thay can take maximum advantage of every slight improvement in the IRVR, for instance, to move more traffic. Great!
The confusion comes from those who do not understand the difference between Safeguarding and Procedures. They hear a message saying 'ATC Low Visibility Procedures are cancelled' and think they can approach a CAT I bar instead of holding at the CAT III, or they can resume freeranging, if in a vehicle. Only they can't because the SAFEGUARDING is still in place. Hopefully our education programmes are reducing the instances of confusion. (Vehicle drivers, for instance, get a written test every 3 years around just this sort of scenario).
TheOddOne