41186 Security issues at Glasgow Central station car park

February 2011 in Network Rail and Suppliers

Station and platform Security Scotland

A reporter is concerned by the perceived lack of security for staff at Glasgow Central station car park. The car park, which is divided into two areas, is used by staff from Virgin and First ScotRail.

The reporter's main concern is the roller shutter doors that control vehicle access to car park -these doors have not been functioning for about a year and a half. The doors remain stuck in the raised position, allowing easy access to anyone who wants to get in, whilst undermining the use of security cards by authorised personnel.

There is also a main gate - with a small access gate within it- that leads to Broomielaw Road. The car park can be freely accessed by unauthorised personnel via the small access gate too.

The reporter suggests Network Rail:

• repair the defective roller shutter doors; and
• review overall security at the car park.

Response from Network Rail

Network Rail would like to thank the reporter for bringing their concerns to our attention.

The car park in Midland Street is supplied by Network Rail for use by the Train Operating Companies (TOCs) as part of the Station Access Agreement. There are also spaces for 'Network Rail Property' commercial customers allocated in the first portion of the car park as you enter off Midland Street.

The roller shutters were originally installed to provide a secure access to the TOC portion of the car park and was the only secure access system. More recently a more complete access system and security gate was installed at the entrance to the whole car park providing security for both TOC and commercial users. As a result, the roller shutters simply served to partition differently allocated spaces.

The secure access gate requires smartcard entry to be able to gain entry. There is also a secure access gate at the Broomielaw entrance. Neither of these gates can guarantee to be 100% secure and are open to abuse by members of the public. Users of these car parks have a duty to make sure that tailgating is not possible and that the gates are fully closed before proceeding. All users of the car park are advised and agree to use the facility at their own risk.

Network Rail Station Security Staff make regular patrols of the area and report any suspect activity to the British Transport Police (BTP). As a matter of coincidence, the current security gates at Midland Street will shortly be renewed which may give us the opportunity to improve security further.