Media centre

Tuesday 5 Jun 2007

MEDIA OPPORTUNITY - MP 'UNVEILS' NEW STATION EQUIPMENT

Region & Route:

Date: Friday 8 June 2007 Time: 3 pm Event: Ben Wallace MP will be at Lancaster station to officially unveil new station information screens Location: Meet by the ticket office at Lancaster station Contact: Network Rail Media Relations, 0161 261 6093
Ben Wallace MP will be at Lancaster station to officially 'unveil' new station information screens, which have been strategically located around the station Network Rail and the Department for Transport have jointly invested £6.6 million to make brand new customer information screens available at 24 stations on the West Coast Main Line. Gary Openshaw, Area General Manager for Network Rail said: "Timely and accurate information is crucial for travelling passengers and those meeting friends and relatives or business colleagues. With this new system there can be no mistaking which is the next train to arrive at the platform and the time it is expected." The new screens use the latest display technology, a mixture of orange LED displays in strong sunlight areas and flat screens in waiting rooms and the ticket office. Both meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act because they are clearer to read and have large characters. The previous equipment was over 20 years old and needed to be updated. Some of the equipment was prone to failure and spare parts were difficult to come by as they were no longer manufactured. The new equipment is much more reliable and user friendly. Speaking at the unveiling, Mr Wallace said: "I am really pleased to see Lancaster station benefit from these improvements and I welcome Network Rail's investment. The new screens are definitely a step forward from what was there previously and should make a real difference to everyone using the station." The new screens are available at various points in Lancaster station, including each platform, at both entrances and in the waiting rooms. Chris Coleman, Regional Director North for Virgin West Coast, said: "We know from feedback from customers that station improvements are welcomed by rail users who have also benefited from investment in trains. The much clearer information displays and other station enhancements help make rail travel even more attractive."