New ‘stay off the tracks’ signage - Elizabeth line

[Acton1991]

Hi all - I’ve noticed these signs go up across Elizabeth line stations along each platform at frequent intervals, warning people not to stay off the tracks.

Is there a specific issue with people walking on the tracks or do we think this is a little bit overkill? Please discuss

 

[AlterEgo]

Hi all - I’ve noticed these signs go up across Elizabeth line stations along each platform at frequent intervals, warning people not to stay off the tracks.

I think it’s the opposite

 

[Benjwri]

Is there a specific issue with people walking on the tracks or do we think this is a little bit overkill? Please discuss

Trespass is definitely more of an issue in the railway than it used to be, and I’ve seen a couple of times people walking across the tracks to switch platform rather than using the bridges, so I wouldn’t say it’s unjust.

 

[Acton1991]

I think it’s the opposite

Hahaha sorry, it was early!

 

[eta]

They've had those same signs at some SWR stations for a while now; certainly at least Vauxhall and Clapham Junction, if my memory is correct.

 

[duffield]

Trespass is definitely more of an issue in the railway than it used to be, and I’ve seen a couple of times people walking across the tracks to switch platform rather than using the bridges, so I wouldn’t say it’s unjust.

The thing is, I don't believe the sort of people who will jump down from the platform and cross the tracks will take the slightest bit of notice of extra signs telling them not to, and the sort of people who would obey the signs wouldn't do this anyhow. So I reckon the signs are a waste of money and more clutter.

I'd be happy so see any evidence that they have any effect whatsoever on people's behaviour but I suspect no such evidence exists. They seem like a box-ticking exercise.

 

[Lewisham2221]

Installed in areas where there's likely to be a larger population of people from countries where walking on/across the tracks is more commonplace, perhaps?

 

[bananas]

I don't believe the sort of people who will jump down from the platform and cross the tracks will take the slightest bit of notice of extra signs telling them not to

I think these signs would be more effective if they mentioned the less obvious reasons not to walk on the tracks, for people who think they are "only risking my own life": (1) you could ruin a driver's life (and other staff and passengers) because of trauma, (2) you could cause major service disruption as trains have to be stopped, and (3) you could be fined £1000

 

[stuu]

Installed in areas where there's likely to be a larger population of people from countries where walking on/across the tracks is more commonplace, perhaps?

Maybe having them on other languages would help if that's the case?

 

[NotATrainspott]

Bere Ferrers rail accident

The Bere Ferrers rail accident occurred at Bere Ferrers railway station in England on 24 September 1917 when ten soldiers from New Zealand alighted from their troop train on the wrong side of the train, having assumed they should leave by the same side they had entered, and were struck and killed by an oncoming express.

This was a problem even a hundred years ago. The British rail network, especially around London, is far busier than many people from abroad are used to. Accidents just don't happen any more; in India there were 21,000 railway fatalities in 2022.

 

[Dr_Intoxicated]

They've had those same signs at some SWR stations for a while now; certainly at least Vauxhall and Clapham Junction, if my memory is correct.

There are also signs at Kew bridge on SWR since the new Brentford stadium opened