Tuesday 11 Dec 2012
Leeds party-goers reminded to keep festive fun safe at Leeds station
- Region & Route:
Nearly a hundred people were involved in slips, trips or falls at Leeds station between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2012 at Leeds Station, according to the latest figures published by Network Rail. A third of these incidents happened on a Friday and Saturday.
A new digital and poster campaign with CCTV footage, featuring Leeds Station, highlights how running for a train with bags of shopping or attempting to carry heavy luggage on an escalator can end up with bruised pride as well as the body, and urges people to take care when travelling by rail over the festive period.
Phil Verster, Route Managing Director for Network Rail said: “Our station team at Leeds are working around the clock to help passengers get home safe. We’re keeping concourses dry and clean and signposting lifts clearly for those with heavy luggage. We need everyone’s help - please plan ahead so you don’t end up rushing to catch your train - falling over could be a miserable end to an enjoyable evening.”
Across the country most incidents involved people slipping on the concourse (1,488), falling down stairs (1,120) or on the platform (899) with more than 500 falls on escalators and over 400 people who fell when running. Incidents involving luggage have risen by 70% since 2004/5 with 614 recorded injuries, accounting for a fifth of the total. More than 400 incidents involved a person who was intoxicated.
December 2011 saw 322 incidents, accounting for around 10% of the total.
Fridays were the most common day for a slip, trip or fall to occur with more than a third (1,158) occurring between 5pm and 2.30am.
Notes to editors
Recorded slips, trips and falls at Britain’s railway stations from 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012. Figures supplied by RSSB (Rail Safety and Standards Board)
Total: 3118
On escalators: 512
On stairs: 1120
On the concourse: 1488
On a platform: 899
Involved people running: 425
Person intoxicated: 437
During December: 322 (10%)
Major/Minor: 19 major injuries (only 5 involving intoxication) and 1 fatality (person who fell on an escalator at London Bridge station)
Time: 1158 incidents were between 5pm and 2.30am (37%)
Day: Incident peak on Fridays 569 (18%)
Luggage: 614 reported injuries involved luggage. This is up from 362 in 04/05 up 70% and 20% of total
Rail industry activities to prevent slips, trips and falls at stations:
- New digital and poster campaign including using customer information screens
- Bringing back travel champions who worked during the Olympics
- Many station staff are trained first aiders
- Mats placed across station concourses to prevent slipping on wet surfaces during poor weather
- Public address messages encouraging people to use lifts if carrying heavy luggage or bulky bags
- Escalators may be switched off earlier which helps to prevent people losing their balance.
Contact information
Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41
Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries
Journalists
Network Rail press office -London North Eastern & East Midlands route
01904 383180
mediarelations@networkrail.co.uk
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