RAIB recommends more tactile surfaces on platforms after Eden Park death

Processes that govern when tactile surfaces are installed at platform edges should be improved, while a plan should be developed to install such surfacing at higher-priority locations across the rail network.

The recommendations are among six made by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, in its report into the death of a passenger who died after falling from a platform at Eden Park station on February 26 2020.

The passenger had impaired vision and RAIB concluded that meant he was probably unaware he was close to the platform edge. After he fell, he was hit and killed by a passenger train.

After the accident, emergency services were unable to determine whether the third-rail power supply had been turned off until a member of Network Rail’s staff arrived at the site, causing a delay of more than 12 minutes between ambulance staff arriving at the scene and accessing the track.

The investigation also found that the combined effect of Department for Transport, Office of Rail and Road, Network Rail and Southeastern guidance and processes meant that safetybased justifications for platform edge markings - including tactile surfaces to aid visually impaired people - were not always effectively considered by the rail industry.

Other recommendations include that the Rail Delivery Group should develop means of reducing the risk to visually impaired people using station platforms where tactile surfaces have not been installed.

The ORR should seek improvements in the information made publicly available, to help visually impaired people to decide whether it is safe to travel.

And the RSSB (formerly the

Rail Safety and Standards Board) should develop processes to ensure the rail industry has sufficient information, guidance and decision support tools to address safety risks associated with disabled people using the railway.

The final recommendation is to the British Transport Police, National Fire Chiefs Council, Association of Ambulance

Chief Executives, London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance

Service and Network Rail, to improve the processes associated with emergency services staff responding to incidents on the National Rail network.

RAIB Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents Simon French said that around half of the UK’s main line stations are not equipped with tactile strips near platform edges. He urged a rethink on the approach to their installation, to ensure they are fitted where they are most needed.

Transport Focus Chief Executive Anthony Smith said: “No passenger’s life should be put at risk because platforms aren’t fitted with tactile surface markings. We’re calling on Network Rail to speed up installation of tactile surfaces on all station platforms. In the meantime, it needs to be clear where they are and aren’t installed.”

Labour’s London Assembly transport spokesman Alison Moore called for a clear strategy from the DfT and NR to ensure tactile surfaces are installed on all station platforms in the capital.