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Step closer to fully secure rail network
ANOTHER 6
Merseyrail stations in Merseyside have been awarded a coveted
national standard for safety and security. Bootle Oriel Road,
Bidston, Conway Park, Birkenhead Park, Rock Ferry and Capenhurst
have all received ‘Secure Station’ status for bringing in
measures to reduce anti-social behaviour and make people feel safer.
The announcements moves Merseyrail Electrics ever closer to becoming
the 1st fully “secure” rail network in the country, with more
than 95% of stations now accredited.
Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, said:- “This is a
brilliant achievement. We are making our railway stations as safe
and secure as possible for the millions who use the network every
year. Achieving the first secure network in the country would
be unprecedented. We want to keep building on this success so that
people living and visiting Merseyside can do so in the knowledge
that they are travelling on one of the UK’s safest rail networks.”
Bart Schmeink, Merseyrail’s Managing Director said:- “When
others in the rail industry told us that it was virtually impossible
to have our entire network accredited as secure, we decided that we
would prove them wrong. Just because others can’t do it,
doesn’t mean that we can’t as we have proved in other areas such as
our pioneering approach to anti-social behaviour on trains as well.
Our customers demand the highest standards and I think they’re right
to do so.”
A spokesperson for British Transport Police (BTP) added:- “We
are proud to have worked with our partners towards these Secure
Stations. We are committed to reducing crime and the fear of crime
across the rail network and this serves to support that. Travelling
by rail is already very safe in Merseyside but having Secure Station
status in more of our stations helps reassure the travelling
public.”
Merseytravel is also working with Northern Rail for secure station
accreditation of all the operators’ Merseyside stations. Once
completed Merseyside would be the only Passenger Transport Authority
and Executive area to have a fully secured regional network.
The tough industry standard evaluates safety measures such as CCTV,
design standards of buildings and facilities and the quality of
customer services. The rigorous assessment is carried out by
the British Transport Police on behalf of the Department for
Transport in association with Crime Concern.
Only 3 stations on the Merseyrail network are now yet to achieve
Secure Station, Sandhills (currently under development) and the
unmanned stations of Overpool and Little Sutton in Cheshire. Merseytravel and Merseyrail are working on these and hope to have
submissions in by the end of the year. |
Formby 10k Trail Race
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ON 21 September
2008 Marie Curie Cancer Care will once again be staging their
popular 10K Trail Race and 3K Fun Run in Formby. The 10K trail goes
through pinewoods, over sand dunes, and along the beach, as well as
on the road. This is a great opportunity for runners to test their
stamina against the clock, over a very challenging course, in this
established run which attracts many experienced runners.
Trophies will be
issued to the 1st, 3 ladies and 1st, 3 men to finish. All entrants
will receive a medal.
There will also be a
3K Fun Run for people who would like to take it a bit easier and to
encourage children and families to take part. The Fun Run is mainly
on a track with a small distance on the road. The entrance fee for
the Fun Run is £4.00 (£5.00 on the day).
Registration is £9.00
(£10.00 on the day) and anyone registering before the event will
receive a free running vest. For further details or a
registration form please ring Lyn or Pat on 01772 749797 or by
email.
CALLS FOR NEW LAW TO PROTECT YOUNGSTERS FROM TANNING RISKS
HEALTH and
safety lawyers have called for a new law to protect children from
potential harm caused by sunbeds. The Association of Personal
Injury Lawyers (APIL) has told the Health and Safety Executive that
allowing under 18s to use UV tanning equipment should become a
criminal offence, saying it is vital to protect children and young
people from the harmful effects of sunbed use.
“There are serious health risks for anyone using UV tanning
equipment, but we are particularly concerned about young people,”
said APIL chief executive, Denise Kitchener. “While we welcome
the HSE’s move to change the recommended minimum age from 16 to 18,
we firmly believe youngsters will only be fully protected if this
becomes law, which is what is proposed in Scotland.”
As well as calling for stricter controls relating to under 18s, APIL
said more information should be available so that all customers are
fully aware of the risks of UV tanning.
“The HSE’s suggestion that operators should provide customers
with advice does not go far enough,” said Denise. “We
want to see warning signs in every sunbed cubicle and in full view
of customers walking into a salon. Customers should also be
asked to read and sign a consent form to ensure they understand the
risks involved. It is essential people are given enough information
to make an informed and educated choice before they go ahead.” |
