Action plea on poor station safety

People are most nervous waiting for trains

Liberal Democrats are calling for action after discovering that only 65 train stations in the UK meet government safety and security targets.

According to House of Commons library statistics, only a small minority of the 2,499 in the country have been accredited as "secure stations" under a government scheme launched in 1998.

At this rate, it would take 84 years for all rail stations to be accredited

Don Foster

To qualify, stations have to meet a range of security and safety standards, such as having secure fencing, clear signs, closed-circuit television surveillance and also have low rates of recorded crime.

The figures were obtained by Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Don Foster, who said: "Labour's plans for secure stations are idling on the tracks.

"At this rate, it would take 84 years for all rail stations to be accredited."

Call for fines

Liberal Democrats want stations to give the scheme a higher profile and fines to be imposed on rail companies not reaching set standards within five years.

Mr Foster said: "Everybody - especially women and the elderly - should feel confident in public transport as an alternative option."

According to government research, people feel least safe using public transport when they are waiting for trains and buses.

In July, the Commons was told that station operators should work with the local British Transport Police crime prevention operators to cut crime and the fear of crime, as well as conduct independent passenger surveys.

Transport minister Keith Hill said the government was hoping to have 100 stations accredited by the end of the year and was encouraging more to work towards qualifying.

The Commons figures also show only two London Underground stations have been accredited as "secure stations" - Kilburn Park and Marylebone.