Railtrack plc

Railtrack to spend [[?]] million on station security
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date 29 October 1997
source Railtrack plc
type Press release

note (some figures in the originating document were illegible)

Railtrack is to spend ? million on improving security and lighting at 800 of its stations in a bid to eliminate some of the "dark corners."

Announcing the scheme at a meeting of the Association of Train Operating Companies today, Railtrack Commercial Director Richard Middleton said: "We see this as an opportunity of doing something which will directly benefit the railway passengers of this country.

"Many of the stations were built in the Victorian age and one of their less attractive characters is the number of dark and dismal corners. These give the rail passenger, and particularly women, a perception of concern. This is something we need to eliminate immediately," he said.

First steps in the scheme will involve the various train operating companies who will draw up a list of stations they feel would benefit from the multi-million pound initiative.

Better lighting and closed circuit television cameras will be high on the shopping list.

"Research shows that the thing most rail passengers want to see is better security at stations," said Mr. Middleton. "This perception of unease needs to be addressed, even though the figures do not indicate that stations are any worse than elsewhere - and are , in fact, much safer."

A list of potential projects will be drawn up, following consultation with the train operating companies, with the aim to complete the task "as quickly as possible."

Railhub Archive ::: 1997-10-29 RTK-001