woberty wrote:Its bit since i been on Darlington railway station and im wondering if they have installed barriers on there.
I had a problem with over zealous security there last year whilst wanting to go and photograph a steamer coming through.
Last time i was down south in Hitchin there seemd to be new barriers on the station and more stringent checks on trains.
like it or loathe it, its the shape of things to come.
The reason for "zealous security" at Darlo is the large number of troop movements to and from Catterick Camp.That's why the station has had no left luggage facilities for many years.
Re the Newcastle barriers, I worked Arriva trains from there until the Transpennine split and I can vouch for the fact that a large proportion of people who travel from Chester Le Street and Durham will try anything to avoid their fares.If I was working a train about 16.30 calling at CLS I would start checking tickets immediately before departure and they would hang about on the platform hoping to jump on just before I closed the doors.In the morning they will get on and offer to pay by a type of debit card you can't accept in order to keep you arguing till Newcastle.
He's quite right about the Chester Le Street fare dodgers. They have been at it for years. Certainly in my experience as a Guard, T.T.I. and Trains Inspector since the late 1970's until the 1990's so hopefully the barriers will stop them.
One thing about the barriers is that for them to work to their full potential, they need to be manned properly by the TOCs and not just part time so apart from that I think they can be a powerful tool to combat fare dodgers.
The other thing is as well, how many stations in the UK have a manual gate as well as the regular size gates and a wide gate?
I know Hertford North has one but there's no real reason why there needs to be one other then in case of a emergency but even then you would just open all the gates anyway.
I can't think of any location on the FCC network anyway that has a manual gate, just wondering if anyone here can answer my query.