London Bridge station crush condemned as 'completely unacceptable' and 'life-threatening'

[Conniff]

Network Rails has said it will review it’s plans during development of the Thameslink programme at London Bridge after a short closure last night caused “Life Threatening Chaos” for rush hour commuters.

 

 

Lines were shut down for 45 minutes from 4.20pm because of a person on the tracks at Streatham, the operator said. The knock-on delays saw huge numbers of people stranded on platforms and some forced to jump closed barriers to avoid the crush, while onlookers posted dramatic images online.

 

 

The London Mayor, Boris Johnson said: “This chaos must end now. The scenes at London Bridge last night were completely unacceptable.“ It is a disgrace that Network Rail and the train operating companies have failed once again to get a grip of the situation at London Bridge.

 

Mick Cash, leader of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union said last night’s scenes were ‘horrific’, adding: “RMT is sick and tired of the excuses about the continuing chaos at London Bridge which led to horrific scenes at the station last night.

 

 

I wonder if those that jumped the barrier are being prosecuted.

[andydd]

Surely you could argue you jumped the barrier as you feared for your life.

 

I wonder if anyone will ultimately take responsibility for the LB cock ups ?

[citizenB]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/london-bridge-station-crush-condemned-as-completely-unacceptable-and-lifethreatening-as-network-rail-orders-review-10085788.html

 

I didn't see this on the news last night ?

[firstclassx]

Again complete load of rubbish being spouted about.

 

Those, in fact, ALL, barriers in operation across the National Rail network comply with the RSSB Group Standards, which mean they are designed with serious crowding in mind, and have several safety features that would always prevent any serious crush. No need whatsoever to jump over them.

 

In any event, no train operator or Network Rail could help a trespasser running about on electrified tracks. What's the alternative? Leave the electric on and hope for the best? Getting police to the site, locating the trespasser, and getting trains moving again (electric turned back on), isn't going to be particularly quick, especially if it's dark.

[andydd]

The above mostly quotes an official report so can't see how it can be called a load of rubbish, there were real safety concerns.

[Conniff]

....(electric turned back on), isn't going to be particularly quick, especially if it's dark.

 

Why, couldn't they find the switch.