Ros Harper says Train Operators are reversing on Passenger Safety and Security (Surrey Heath Liberal Democrats

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Ros Harper says Train Operators are reversing on Passenger Safety and Security

February 6, 2005 9:00 AM

Rosalyn Harper, is demanding action from South West Trains on safety at stations in Surrey Heath. None of the stations in Surrey Heath, including Camberley, Ash Vale, Frimley, and Bagshot are accredited as safe, despite a Government scheme, launched almost six years ago, to increase safety at railway stations and this just isn't good enough.

Ros Harper and Charles Kennedy MP at Frimley Train Station

Ros Harper and Charles Kennedy MP spoke to passengers about train safety on a resent vist to Frimley Train Station

Rosalyn Harper, said: "The measures covered by the scheme are exactly the personal safety factors that local rail passengers care about most, especially women. These include good lighting, better staff presence, CCTV cameras and clear signs.

I have been using SW Trains regularly for over two years in and out of Camberley and other SW trains stations, and like many other travellers have spent my fair share of time standing on my own, at a station, late at night waiting for a delayed train.

"The Government's own research shows that people are more likely to use public transport if they feel safe. Yet the secure station initiative is quite simply failing. It is unacceptable to expect people to wait for trains alone and in the dark.

Camberley train station was named and shamed to the Camberley News by a spokeswoman from a South West Trains (SWT), which manages the Network Rail-owned station, following the publication of survey of the best train stations across the south and admitted Camberley train station is a 'magnet' for antisocial behaviour and vandalism. She said the main problem at Camberley station was with groups of youths hanging around. Last year the number of windows smashed by young thugs landed the station with a glazing bill totalling £30,000. However, SWT have a "rolling programme" to get each of its stations accredited as a Secure Station and the town's station was on the list.

The Government scheme to increase safety at railway stations isn't working in many areas across Britain, the Liberal Democrats revealed in December. Train companies are failing to get their stations accredited as 'safe stations' and some stations are even losing their status. Some train companies are progressing slowly, but overall - at the current rate - there would be no secure stations left within two and a half years.

At the same time the number of crimes committed at stations and on railway land has increased by 2% between 2002/03 and 2003/04. The failure to tackle the fear of crime at rail stations is a major factor in discouraging people from using public transport. A survey carried out by the Government shows that 22% of people would make more public transport journeys if security measures were introduced.

Commenting, John Thurso MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, said:

"The rate of accrediting stations is now going backwards and within two and a half years there will be no 'safe' stations.

"If Alistair Darling is serious about tackling congestion, he must start to think about providing a safe, reliable and affordable public transport system immediately."