Refurbished Railway Station Protected by Roller Barrier

Railway stations face significant challenges in keeping passengers and staff safe and secure as well as protecting railway infrastructure. In this post we look at how a UK station has used our Roller Barrier system to enhance security and boost traveller confidence.

Railway station refurbishment is complex and challenging. There are many aspects that must be considered to ensure stations are accessible, welcoming, comfortable and secure. Railway stations are important nodes of the national transportation network, often providing much more than simply a place to embark and disembark from trains. How people perceive their safety and security at railway stations is an important factor that informs many aspects of railway station refurbishment.

Fear of Crime at Railway Stations

Rail is the safest form of transport in Britain. For every million journeys taken on the railway only 16 crimes are recorded. The chance of any rail passenger becoming a victim of crime while travelling on the railway is therefore very low.

But it is well known that rail users consistently perceive their risks from crime to be significantly greater than crime statistics suggest. This fear unfortunately deters many from using the rail network. While crime incidents at railway stations are low, railway station refurbishment projects need to implement practical precautions to protect passengers, staff and the railway infrastructure.

Vandalism, trespass and criminal damage, for example, can be very disruptive. Trains and carriages sprayed with graffiti need to be taken out of service to be cleaned, costing many thousands of pounds. This disrupts rail timetables causing inconvenience for travellers and adversely affects the perception of rail travel. 

Fare dodging is another crime challenge faced by railway stations. Although penalties for fare dodging have been significantly increased this has not been a universally effective deterrent. Some people continue to climb over fences and hop over barriers to avoid paying their fare.

Travelling Safely By Rail

British Transport Police provide valuable guidance for travellers on the rail network. While at the train station they recommend people avoid poorly lit areas, remain in sight of station CCTV security cameras and close to other people. They also sensibly recommend passengers keep their belongings close to them at all times and always report any unattended bags or suspicious behaviour to a member of staff or police officer. They suggest that people don’t use headphones as they can prevent people from hearing announcements and being aware of what’s occurring around them. And importantly, the British Transport Police remind people to always follow instructions provided by railway staff, never cross the tracks and always stay behind the yellow line on station platforms.

People are naturally more fearful when travelling at night which is a key consideration for those challenged with railway station refurbishment. Station and platform lighting and illumination are important factors in how people perceive passenger safety. 

Secure Station Scheme

The Secure Station Scheme was established in 1998. Its a railway station accreditation scheme provided by the Department for Transport, open to operators of any rail network policed by British Transport Police.

The criteria for accreditation covers four key areas:

• Design of the railway station
• Management of the station
• Management of crime levels
• Passenger perception of security.

The scheme recognises how good station design can reduce the opportunities for crime and improve passenger perceptions. Visibility is recognised as a key requirement in good railway station design which includes the provision of effective lighting.

The scheme also recognises the need for physical barriers, especially on the station perimeter. These need to be constructed to effectively deter and prevent people from climbing into our out of the station. Station furniture, such as waiting shelters and benches, must be considerately located to prevent these structures from being used to scale walls or fences. And as far as possible, precautions need to be put in place to prevent opportunities for trespass.

Roller Barrier Boosts Station Security

The following images show how our Roller Barrier non-aggressive anti climb system has been used to effectively boost railway station safety and security at this refurbished station.

As can be seen, a double row of black Roller Barrier has been robustly secured to the top of the railing fence, significantly increasing the height of the boundary alongside the full length of the narrow station platform. Roller Barrier introduces an unstable fence-topper that’s too large to be gripped and can’t be easily climbed over. But unlike aggressive anti-climb spikes Roller Barrier presents zero risk of impalement and in this installation it effectively shields the fencing pole tops.

An important aspect of railway station refurbishment is balancing functional enhancement with station aesthetics. As these images show, black Roller Barrier has been securely attached to the steel fencing with matching black anodised brackets. The overall, integrated appearance of the enhanced security fencing is aesthetically attractive while presenting a formidable deterrent to any potential trespassers or intruders.

This railway station fencing enhancement prevents unauthorised people from getting onto the platform and ensures passengers are routed via the platform gates, as required. Fare dodgers can’t hop over the fence and railway infrastructure is protected from trespassers causing criminal damage and graffiti.

For more information on Refurbished Railway Station Protected by Roller Barrier talk to Insight Security