Join the debate! - HSC hosting public debate on crowding, vandalism and trespass on the mainline and underground railways

HSC press release C025:05 - 26 October 2005

The Health and Safety Commission's (HSC) Railway Industry Advisory Committee (RIAC) is hosting a public meeting at HSC's London headquarters on 2 November 2005 that will debate crowding, trespass and vandalism on the mainline and underground railways.

The event, which will be chaired by HSC Commissioner Margaret Burns, is useful for RIAC in hearing views and opinions from members of the public. It also provides a unique opportunity for people to hear about topical railway issues and the actions being taken by government and the rail industry to address them.

James King from the Rail Passengers Council will be the facilitator at the meeting. Michael Woods from the Rail Safety and Standards Board will speak on research into crowding on the mainline and underground railways, and Aidan Nelson from the National Route Crime Group will speak on community safety and the rail industry's response to trespass and vandalism.

HSC commissioner Margaret Burns commenting on the forthcoming event said:

"I, and members of RIAC, are keen to discuss with the public important aspects of safety on the railways. We know that crowding, trespass and vandalism are matters of concern to many people. We want to hear people's views and experiences. We can then use that to inform future health and safety strategy on the railways."

Notes to editors

1. RIAC provides advice to the HSC on railway safety, exchanges information, comments on proposed new regulations and guidance and works to progress health and safety issues and other related developments within the industry. Further information on the work of RIAC can be found on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website at www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/meetings/iacs/riac/index.htm.
2. The health and safety risks that arise to passengers because of overcrowding are normally very low, but there are some areas where HSE has concerns and is involved. These include overcrowding in emergency evacuation; on platforms and stations; design of new rolling stock; on underground routes in hot weather; and incidents where luggage blocks aisles and doors. Further information on HSE's position on overcrowding can be found on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/railways/liveissues/overcrowding.htm
3. The National Route Crime Group (NRCG) is the cross-industry body set up to steer the industry's efforts to reduce the risks posed by route crime. The Commission's Executive (HSE) has, through its membership of the NRCG, continued to work closely with the industry and British Transport Police (BTP) in tackling trespass and vandalism.
4. The Railway Safety Annual Report 2004 shows that 479 (48%) of the 1000 reportable train incidents in 2004 were due to acts of vandalism. It also reports that two 12-year-old children died while trespassing on the railway during the reporting period. One was electrocuted by the conductor rail; the other was struck by a train while crossing the railway line. There were also 54 adult railway deaths caused by trespass (excluding cases of suicides) in the reporting period. Due to European regulations on the reporting of rail transport statistics the annual report should now cover calendar years rather than the financial year. To align with this new reporting requirement, exceptionally this report covered nine months 1 April to 31 December 2004.

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