A control system for automatically operating a subsea well control device on detecting that a load in an Intervention Riser System coupled to the subsea well control device has reached a threshold, which threshold is below a failure load of the IRS, the control system comprising: a first control unit configured to detect that the load in the IRS has reached the threshold; and a second control unit adapted to be connected to the subsea well control device, for triggering actuation of the subsea well control device to cause it to move from a deactivated state to an activated state in which the subsea well control device provides a well control function; in which the first control unit is connected to and/or in communication with the second control unit and configured to issue an activation command to the second control unit to cause it to trigger actuation of the subsea well control device; and in which the first control unit is configured to automatically issue the activation command to the second control unit upon detecting that the load in the IRS has reached the threshold, to trigger actuation of the subsea well control device prior to structural failure of an IRS or a component thereof occurring; and characterised in that the subsea well control device is a valve assembly that includes a cutting valve and a sealing valve, and the sealing valve is disposed uphole of the cutting valve; wherein prior to actuation of the subsea well control device a media extends through a bore of the well control device and is in communication with the cutting valve and the sealing valve; wherein the actuation of the subsea well control device includes actuating the cutting valve before actuating the sealing valve; wherein the cutting valve actuation is configured to cause the media to be cut while the media is in communication with the sealing valve; and wherein the actuation of the subsea well control device includes automatically withdrawing the media from communication with the sealing valve after the cutting valve actuation and actuating the sealing valve after the media is withdrawn from communication with the sealing valve. a first control unit configured to detect that the load in the IRS has reached the threshold; and a second control unit adapted to be connected to the subsea well control device, for triggering actuation of the subsea well control device to cause it to move from a deactivated state to an activated state in which the subsea well control device provides a well control function; in which the first control unit is connected to and/or in communication with the second control unit and configured to issue an activation command to the second control unit to cause it to trigger actuation of the subsea well control device; and in which the first control unit is configured to automatically issue the activation command to the second control unit upon detecting that the load in the IRS has reached the threshold, to trigger actuation of the subsea well control device prior to structural failure of an IRS or a component thereof occurring; and characterised in that the subsea well control device is a valve assembly that includes a cutting valve and a sealing valve, and the sealing valve is disposed uphole of the cutting valve; wherein prior to actuation of the subsea well control device a media extends through a bore of the well control device and is in communication with the cutting valve and the sealing valve; wherein the actuation of the subsea well control device includes actuating the cutting valve before actuating the sealing valve; wherein the cutting valve actuation is configured to cause the media to be cut while the media is in communication with the sealing valve; and wherein the actuation of the subsea well control device includes automatically withdrawing the media from communication with the sealing valve after the cutting valve actuation and actuating the sealing valve after the media is withdrawn from communication with the sealing valve. wherein prior to actuation of the subsea well control device a media extends through a bore of the well control device and is in communication with the cutting valve and the sealing valve; wherein the actuation of the subsea well control device includes actuating the cutting valve before actuating the sealing valve; wherein the cutting valve actuation is configured to cause the media to be cut while the media is in communication with the sealing valve; and wherein the actuation of the subsea well control device includes automatically withdrawing the media from communication with the sealing valve after the cutting valve actuation and actuating the sealing valve after the media is withdrawn from communication with the sealing valve.