Press Release

TfL invests £2.7 million in rail safety and security in North and East London

7 February 2006

Transport for London (TfL), in partnership with ‘one’ and the London Borough of Hackney have provided a boost for rail passengers with the launch of a £2.7 million package of on-train and station security enhancements.

Delivered as part of the TfL five-year £10bn Investment Programme the new set of improvements will provide reassurance to the 21 million passengers  travelling on the two routes leaving London Liverpool Street every year: to Shenfield via Stratford and to Chingford, Enfield Town and Cheshunt via Hackney Downs.

This is part of TfL’s safety and security improvement programme. The package includes:

On- train improvements

• On-train CCTV in 61 – four-vehicle trains

Station improvements: at London Fields, Bethnal Green and Cambridge Heath stations

• New CCTV Cameras - to assist with both crime prevention and detection so passengers feel safe using the stations;
• Installation of new Help Points with induction loops, providing immediate audio and visual links with the control centre;
• Customer Information Systems – providing passengers with up to date train information.

Improvements for people with disabilities including handrails, bespoke seating and induction loops at ticket office windows have also been delivered at several other stations.

This is a significant step in TfL’s safety and security programme; as a consequence of the on-train CCTV project, the entire ‘one’ suburban network now benefits from CCTV coverage.

London Fields, Bethnal Green and Cambridge Heath stations now benefit from new safety and security enhancements. The improvements at London Fields station were delivered by TfL and ‘one’ in partnership with the London Borough of Hackney.

Ian Brown Managing Director of TfL London Rail said:
“Passenger safety and security is of paramount importance to TfL and we are working closely with train operators like ‘one’ and local authorities such as the London Borough of Hackney to provide safer and improved rail services across London. We hope the delivery of these improvements will encourage more people to use rail in London”.

Dominic Booth Acting Managing Director of ‘one’ said:
"'one' is pleased to be working in conjunction with our partners at Transport for London and the London Boroughs, by investing in upgraded trains and stations across our network. Improving the on-train and station environment is a key element of our investment priorities. New CCTV and information provision systems, better lighting and accessibility improvements are a major factor in providing reassurance for passengers, and in attracting new customers to our train services.

Mayor of Hackney - Jules Pipe said:
“London Fields station forms a vital link for many residents to jobs and services across London, and I welcome these latest improvements which will enhance the safety of rail passengers.  As Hackney is not yet on the tube network, investment in over ground rail lines is particularly important, and I shall continue to push for improvements to the services and infrastructure provided.”