Steddenm
Member
I've noticed at a few stations are now saying over the PA that "all platforms at this station does not have tactile paving at the platform edge", is this a new thing?
Yes, it is a new thing, arising from a partially sighted passenger falling off a platform somewhere in south London (I've noticed at a few stations are now saying over the PA that "all platforms at this station does not have tactile paving at the platform edge", is this a new thing?
But that tells me that they’re functioning correctly - in other words they stop wheelchairs/mobility scooters/buggies from rolling over the platform and on to the track.Is it just me, or has anyone else found those tactile markers a trip hazard? They can also make it difficult to push a wheelchair across.
Poor grammar, to the point of ambiguity.
The singular verb "does" does not agree with the plural subject "platforms". Also reference to "all platforms" but singular "the platform edge"
Does it mean that not all platforms have it (but some might)? Or that all platforms lack it / no platforms have it?
What about "this station does not have tactile paving at its (some) platform edges"
Summary
At around 19:05 hrs on Wednesday 26 February 2020, a passenger train struck and fatally injured a person who had just fallen from platform 1 of Eden Park station.
The person, who had impaired vision, moved near to, and fell from, the platform edge probably because his visual impairment meant he was unaware that he was close to this edge. The platform edge was not fitted with markings intended to assist visually impaired people.
Recommendations
The report makes six recommendations. The first and second are addressed to DfT and Network Rail, firstly to seek improvements in the processes that govern when tactile surfaces at the edge of station platforms should be installed, and secondly to develop a plan for installing tactile surfaces at higher priority locations in a timely manner across the railway network. The third is addressed to the Rail Delivery Group to develop means of reducing the risk to visually impaired people using station platforms where tactile surfaces have not yet been installed. The fourth is addressed to ORR and seeks improvements in the information made publicly available to help visually impaired people to decide whether it is safe to travel.
I thought that was a distinct possibility when I read it originally…The OP has got the gist of the announcement correct, but not the wording - the actual announcement is gramatically correct
An announcement is a quick and easy stopgap until tactile paving is able to be installed- which it will be, as soon as possible.Are TOCs really allowed to just do an announcement saying there’s no tactile paving instead of just installing it?
By design the wheelchair shouldn't be getting pushed across themIs it just me, or has anyone else found those tactile markers a trip hazard? They can also make it difficult to push a wheelchair across.
I don’t think that’s totally correct with the likes of Merseyrail and stations where the trains allow level boarding e.g. FLIRTs.By design the wheelchair shouldn't be getting pushed across them
Yes to clarify I'm talking about only when a classic style ramp is in use. However generally they are supposed to be hard to push over to ensure you're not doing it accidentally!I don’t think that’s totally correct with the likes of Merseyrail and stations where the trains allow level boarding e.g. FLIRTs.
It strikes me that this is unavoidable. Adding any facility to all stations is a protracted process. At some stage, the new facility will become sufficiently common that it comes to be normal/expected. At this point, it seems wise to advertise the exceptions, especially if the new facility is safety-related.I was waiting for my train today and heard a new announcement I’d not heard before
“Please stand back from the platform edge. There is no tactile paving at this station. Please mind the step when getting onto the train”
Are TOCs really allowed to just do an announcement saying there’s no tactile paving instead of just installing it? How is this for people who have limited sight?
Maybe not but I did see a passenger with a walking frame on wheels get it stuck and then in frustration attempt to lift it up and then almost topple over after alighting from a train, so they aren't good for everyone.By design the wheelchair shouldn't be getting pushed across them
This does seem a bit daft given that tactile paving is supposed to assist those who cannot see the platform edge, how are they supposed to know where they are supposed to stand back from?“Please stand back from the platform edge. There is no tactile paving at this station. Please mind the step when getting onto the train”
But the same paving is used on pavements in town and city centres to Leeds people to traffic lights and denote drop down curbs etc so they must be designed for wheelchairs else wheel chairs would need to be in the road.By design the wheelchair shouldn't be getting pushed across them
No, it isn't just you. I find that they can slightly unbalance a person plus extra care is needed when using a walking stick which can skid, particularly if it is wet or frosty.Is it just me, or has anyone else found those tactile markers a trip hazard? They can also make it difficult to push a wheelchair across.
The tactile paving at dropped kerbs etc is a slightly different design which should in theory be easier to run wheelchairs, trams etc across if it's installed properly, the studs being arranged squarely. On station platforms the studs are arranged in a hexagonal pattern which makes it difficult for them to travel over by design.But the same paving is used on pavements in town and city centres to Leeds people to traffic lights and denote drop down curbs etc so they must be designed for wheelchairs else wheel chairs would need to be in the road.
Depends how far back the yellow line is, at some platforms it seems to be put increasingly far back.By design the wheelchair shouldn't be getting pushed across them