Showing posts with label Railway Stations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Railway Stations. Show all posts
Friday, March 9, 2012
VIDEO: Oysterisation on Harlow Trains - it could happen
Yesterday, Harlow won a crucial first step towards Oysterisation of ticketing on our trains, when I asked Transport Secretary Justine Greening for support for my campaign for this to happen.
Her reply was positive, and she agreed to meet with me personally to see how this can be done - potentially helping tens of thousands of Harlow commuters and families, and hopefully saving them money as well.
Encouragingly, she also promised to discuss with me how Harlow could benefit from this Conservative-led Government's investment in 2,700 new carriages - helping to relieve the pressure of rush-hour.
You can watch the video above, or our full exchange was:
Robert Halfon (Harlow): I welcome the right hon. Friend’s statement and what she said about smartcards. Will she consider extending Oysterisation to outer London towns, such as Harlow, which would benefit commuters? May I also ask her to increase investment in rolling stock, when financial conditions allow, so that we can have more trains at peak times running from London to Harlow and vice versa?
Justine Greening (Transport Secretary): I am sure that my hon. Friend is aware that we earmarked £45 million in the autumn statement to enable us to extend the use of smartcards and Oysterisation further in the south-east. With regard to capacity, we are making a substantial investment with 2,700 new carriages. I would be happy to sit down with him and get his views on how his local area could benefit from that.
by Robert Halfon - Working Hard for Harlow.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Preventing sucides on the railways
Following a significant number of railway suicides in Harlow, today I met with the Chief Superintendent of the British Transport Police to discuss this tragic problem. Strangely, there isn’t a nationally agreed structure for the policing of railway stations.
However I do believe that somehow there needs to be an increase in police patrols. It is apparent that the largest number of suicidal deaths are committed by troubled individuals often in a temporary state of depression. I would like to see social care and local health organisations working much more closely together in order to create a support network for those identified at risk. For example; Samaritans is a hotline which provides emotional support for those experiencing suicidal thoughts or distress. This is extremely beneficial but a more physical approach needs to be taken too.
But, we also need to see a system of voluntary 'railway' Special Constables established. Their sole focus would be to patrol the platforms to identify any suspicious behaviour, and prevent it. They would be community volunteers - and would have similar powers to other Special Constables.
Another idea would be for Samaritan branches to be ready to attend a station in an emergency. My aim is to create a Pilot Scheme, whereby National Express, East Anglia and the National Police work on preventing suicides on the London to Harlow train line. Seeing as this is such a concentrated approach, it would mean that great attention and time can be dedicated to preventative methods for suicidal deaths at rail stations.
However I do believe that somehow there needs to be an increase in police patrols. It is apparent that the largest number of suicidal deaths are committed by troubled individuals often in a temporary state of depression. I would like to see social care and local health organisations working much more closely together in order to create a support network for those identified at risk. For example; Samaritans is a hotline which provides emotional support for those experiencing suicidal thoughts or distress. This is extremely beneficial but a more physical approach needs to be taken too.
But, we also need to see a system of voluntary 'railway' Special Constables established. Their sole focus would be to patrol the platforms to identify any suspicious behaviour, and prevent it. They would be community volunteers - and would have similar powers to other Special Constables.
Another idea would be for Samaritan branches to be ready to attend a station in an emergency. My aim is to create a Pilot Scheme, whereby National Express, East Anglia and the National Police work on preventing suicides on the London to Harlow train line. Seeing as this is such a concentrated approach, it would mean that great attention and time can be dedicated to preventative methods for suicidal deaths at rail stations.
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