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Flaw in Hatfield's high security plans

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jon0844

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After First installed an extra fence above the existing wall to deter fare evaders that regularly skipped over to avoid paying, it seems Network Rail has different ideas.

This is by the new lift, and it's quite clear that this will be the weak link. And staff I spoke to are already well aware and frustrated. They told me they have already pointed this out, but it has fallen on deaf ears.

Look at the photo. Even I could probably get over this!

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jon0844

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It is certainly the case that even though stations will be staffed from first to last trains, the gates will still be open a lot of the time.
 

asylumxl

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It is certainly the case that even though stations will be staffed from first to last trains, the gates will still be open a lot of the time.

As far as I can tell (on Thameslink at least) they're gonna do this by reducing ticket office hours rather than actually spending extra money. Not uncommon to see all windows closed despite the ticket office supposedly being open since they took over.
 
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rebmcr

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"Honest people" is an oxymoron. You may find honest individuals but they're always the exception.
 

ralphchadkirk

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Honest people in Hatfield? I don't think there are any - I saw a man in Asda pass his shopping over the self checkout, pick it up and walk out without paying at all.

I don't tend to drive past the station anymore so I haven't seen what it looks like now it's finished - the work going on with the station infuriated me so I just drive past Simmons and then left at the big roundabout near Queensway to get back on the A1000.
 

Saint66

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Hatfield, like Stevenage, is one of those parts of Hertfordshire which should really be in Bedfordshire... ;)
 

deltic08

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Maybe that is why fares in London and southeast are more expensive than in the North. Too much fare evasion?
 

Aictos

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Hatfield is not the only station which has a issue, the point of the matter is the fact that NO one company on the railways wants to take the lead in combating fare evasion as can be seen in these pics at Hatfield - what stopped Network Rail from fitting a higher fence?
 

455driver

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Health and Safety.
Because it is ground mounted they would not be allowed to put spikes on top in case some little wally hurt themselves while climbing over it.
 

jon0844

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Honest people in Hatfield? I don't think there are any - I saw a man in Asda pass his shopping over the self checkout, pick it up and walk out without paying at all.

I don't tend to drive past the station anymore so I haven't seen what it looks like now it's finished - the work going on with the station infuriated me so I just drive past Simmons and then left at the big roundabout near Queensway to get back on the A1000.
Good idea. With the new car park open and the road works starting later today (8th Nov) for 30 weeks, it will be a road to avoid.

The station and car park, and indeed eventually the road, all look good - either in reality now or the plans. But this is mostly Old Hatfield, which is a very nice place.

Where I live is quite nice too, over the Garden Village side, but it's the town in between that is pretty horrid.
 

Aictos

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Why not just extend the wall?

Or this which was another solution they could have taken...you should see the fence that Waitrose has installed by their new store next to Peterborough station, at 16ft high I doubt anyone would be keen to jump it!
 

ralphchadkirk

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Good idea. With the new car park open and the road works starting later today (8th Nov) for 30 weeks, it will be a road to avoid.

The station and car park, and indeed eventually the road, all look good - either in reality now or the plans. But this is mostly Old Hatfield, which is a very nice place.

Where I live is quite nice too, over the Garden Village side, but it's the town in between that is pretty horrid.

Old Hatfield is lovely - as is the ex airfield areas as well. Unfortunately I now live not too far from "Hatfield Best Kebab" and the horrible pub at the opposite end of the town centre from Asda.
 

Skimble19

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Trust me, there's plenty who don't think twice. The area below is only a couple of feet drop and is about to have a nice concrete slope put there going from the ground to the path to make it even easier to get down. This should (hopefully!) change - plenty of people high up are just as annoyed about the wall and fence being how it is and want it changed - it's more a case of when than if.

Good idea. With the new car park open and the road works starting later today (8th Nov) for 30 weeks, it will be a road to avoid.

The station and car park, and indeed eventually the road, all look good - either in reality now or the plans. But this is mostly Old Hatfield, which is a very nice place.

Where I live is quite nice too, over the Garden Village side, but it's the town in between that is pretty horrid.
The Car Park won't be opening just yet unfortunately, currently expected to be mid next week. Will certainly be a road to avoid for a while though!!
 

jon0844

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Looking at the image, the top of the fence appears to be taller than the Portable Lavatory.

So, you're talking about 8ft off the ground.

Not insurmountable, but many would think twice

There's a not insignificant drop that perhaps makes the fence look taller than it is. The lavatory isn't level with the base of the fence!

I've seen people jump the wall (and spikes) so don't think it will be that hard to 'scale'. The existing wall has been jumped using a seat to get up from the inside, or a rather stupidly placed CCTV camera pole that tips down on the outside, thus giving a nice little ledge at the folding point to get a foot up.

This will be a lot easier than the other methods though, but the other methods show just how determined a lot of people are. Can't think why, when they don't have a ticket and (from the occasional police checks) often have other things to hide.

Trust me, there's plenty who don't think twice. The area below is only a couple of feet drop and is about to have a nice concrete slope put there going from the ground to the path to make it even easier to get down. This should (hopefully!) change - plenty of people high up are just as annoyed about the wall and fence being how it is and want it changed - it's more a case of when than if.

The Car Park won't be opening just yet unfortunately, currently expected to be mid next week. Will certainly be a road to avoid for a while though!!

That's good news (the fence bit, not the car park). Any particular reason for the car park not being ready on time?

I must say it looks awesome. Nicely lit (great to see very bright LEDs throughout) and the same can be said for the authentic lighting outside the station that looked great last night. Well done to all involved, even if the old building now looks rather ugly joined on. Are there plans to spruce that up in the future?
 
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Skimble19

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Sadly (as much as it might need knocking down!) the old building and canopy will be staying put.
That's good news (the fence bit, not the car park). Any particular reason for the car park not being ready on time?

I must say it looks awesome. Nicely lit (great to see very bright LEDs throughout) and the same can be said for the authentic lighting outside the station that looked great last night. Well done to all involved, even if the old building now looks rather ugly joined on. Are there plans to spruce that up in the future?
There were a few minor issues that were better to be resolved with it closed than open, so a decision was taken to delay the opening slightly to make sure it really was as good as can be before opening.

Certainly agree with you - the LEDs are brilliant - all on sensors too so no energy will be wasted during the day! As for the lighting outside, it's certainly going to be very very bright once it's all turned on ;)

Funding for the old building has been signed off and plans are being created :D
 

ralphchadkirk

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I didn't realise there were so many people on this forum that live in Hatfield... I'll have to be careful to protect my identity in public places now. :)
 
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