50690 Inadequate fencing at Staines station

July 2012 in Network Rail and Suppliers

Infrastructure Security Station and platform South East

Ongoing station works have led to concerns over the security of the fencing at Staines station. The reporter is aware that there are currently gaps where the old and new fencing meet at the Gresham Road end of platform two. On occasions the reporter has witnessed individuals climbing through these gaps and going close to the running line. This poses the risk of electrocution or being hit by a train.

Also at certain points along the platform boundary, where the platform meets the road, temporary fencing has been erected. The reporter feels that this fencing is inadequate, insecure and ineffective as it is only held in place by plastic cable ties.

Could Network Rail:

• Visit Staines station to assess the fencing problems raised in this report?
• Investigate the gaps in the fencing and take appropriate action?

Response from Network Rail

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

Upon receipt of this report, a site visit to investigate these concerns was carried out the following day (14.02.12). It was found that as part of the platform extension project the boundary fencing which had been Network Rail owned had been replaced with new platform boundary fencing.

The new fence did not, in a number of places, meet to form a secure boundary (see photographs below).

To compensate for this, temporary fencing had been installed; this was secured by a metal clip and placed in a weighted concrete base.

There were, as shown, a number of gaps in the boundary fence, all of which had temporary fencing erected roadside to counter trespass. The Maintenance Protection Coordinator (MPC) could not see where this fence line had been breached, so approached a member of Station Staff to ask whether they had seen or knew of any trespass incidents from this location and they had not.

The MPC attended site with the Lineside Engineer and assessed the entire fence line both Network Rail owned as well as the new station boundary. There was one main area of concern where the Network Rail fence had been removed and the temporary fencing bridging the open bay had been secured by plastic cable .A former gas meter walled box which formed part of the Network Rail boundary had suffered brick damage.

An immediate call was placed to the off track fencing team who attended site to:

• further secure ALL temporary fencing;
• remove the plastic tie wrap and replace with suitable equipment to secure the join;
• cover the open gas meter box.

As a result of this report, the Project Manager managing this installation has been spoken with and reminded of the Network Rail fencing standard and the high expectation of any works taking place on Network Rail property with regards to safety matters.

The MPC has since attended site and can confirm secondary measures of fence line security have taken place; the gaps in the station fencing have been filled with bespoke temporary materials. This site will continue to remain under weekly observation up to the point of project hand back.