Gateline at Hatfield - currently pointless?

[jon0844]

Discovered today that Hatfield station may as well not have its gates in operation, as the new night gate now has to be kept open all day and night...

...for fire safety.

It seems that given the main station has temporarily lost its fire escape, due to the construction of a new multistorey car park, nobody thought to build a new one - or construct a safe path next to the building site at least until the work in that area begins.

And someone called the fire brigade to report the night gate was locked, and that it was a fire exit (it clearly wasn't built as one) so now they HAVE to keep it open!

As a result, unless staff are willing to man the now wide open gate to platform 1 (with easy access to walk back for platform 2/3 and vice versa), I should think that most fare evaders will be very grateful. Chances are it was someone not wanting to pay that called the fire brigade.

It's worth mentioning that the night gate, at the southern end of platform 1, isn't marked as a fire exit.

 

[Greenback]

I'm sure it won't be long before someone says all ticket barriers are pointless!

Still, it seems as though this is only temporary until the fire escape is restored, or have I misunderstood?

 

[jon0844]

But the work isn't due to finish until October! 8 months from now!

 

[Greenback]

It'll be interesting to see how revenue is affected over that period...

 

[yorkie]

Chances are it was someone not wanting to pay...

...again because their ticket was issued with an online discount and was asked to produce a "discount railcard" or because their ticket was issued with a Network Railcard, and they were unable to produce a non-existent photocard, or because they had travelled from an unstaffed station and were being issued a penalty fare, or because they held two zonal tickets which covered their entire journey but they didn't have a non-required ticket for a non-existent "gap", or because they were travelling in declassified 1st class and didn't have a non-required upgrade...

 

[stut]

All ticket barriers are pointless!

Actually, I don't really believe that, but I do hate to disappoint...

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Or perhaps the station operator should have taken it's health and safety responsibilities seriously in the first place - without requiring a passenger to remind them of their legal responsibilities?:roll:

 

[greatkingrat]

What are the rules about fire exits from platforms? I can think of lots of stations that only have one exit from the platform, so what is special about Hatfield?

 

[Baxenden Bank]

What are the rules about fire exits from platforms? I can think of lots of stations that only have one exit from the platform, so what is special about Hatfield?

By the OP’s own observation, there is a fire escape, it has been blocked by construction works, and therefore the provision of an alternative ought to be considered.

Such consideration is the responsibility of the premises owner – not the public or the fire service.

The premises owner ought to carry out their responsibilities, which include fire safety, seriously and without the need for enforcement action.

Having considered the issue, it appears that it has been deemed necessary to replace the obstructed fire escape. Had the blocked fire escape been deemed superfluous, there would be no need to leave the night gate open.

The problem lies with those who have failed to provide a safe method of work, not the alleged fare dodger who may or may not have been the reason for the visit by the fire brigade. More likely a member of staff / union representative having a go at their employer.

 

[Aictos]

Can I point out that although a TOC may manage Hatfield station it is only renting the station from Network Rail who are ultimately responsible for all works undertaken on site.

 

[rdeez]

(...) The problem lies with those who have failed to provide a safe method of work, not the alleged fare dodger who may or may not have been the reason for the visit by the fire brigade. More likely a member of staff / union representative having a go at their employer.

Not that it's impossible, but if it was a fare dodger, they went to a fair amount of effort for what wasn't a guaranteed outcome - They couldn't have known that having another fire exit was a requirement, or that they'd open the gate, or that they wouldn't have it manned if it did needed to be opened.

Personally I agree with the above and would say it's someone who has some knowledge of the fire escape requirements at the station.

 

[philjo]

I had noticed that the night gate has been open a lot recently when the train I was on called at Hatfield.

Surely they just need to have the gate open outwards with panic bars on the inside so it can be used in the daytime an an emergency exit without letting anyone access the platform from the outside. People can still get out that way but the gate could be linked to an alarm to alert staff that it has been opened. That is how emergency exits in many public areas such as shops etc tend to work.

 

[Mojo]

I had noticed that the night gate has been open a lot recently when the train I was on called at Hatfield.

Surely they just need to have the gate open outwards with panic bars on the inside so it can be used in the daytime an an emergency exit without letting anyone access the platform from the outside. People can still get out that way but the gate could be linked to an alarm to alert staff that it has been opened. That is how emergency exits in many public areas such as shops etc tend to work.

No doubt the cost of converting what I would guess is a normal gate that is usually padlocked shut, to one of this nature would cost a significant amount of money - and as it is presumably a temporary arrangement then it is not worth it.

 

[jon0844]

It may have such a panic bar fitted now (will check next time I'm there) as the staff did comment that they weren't going to keep going down to close the gate. But a fare evader won't be put off by the bar and I doubt they'd alarm it like the one inside was (well, still is) as nobody will get there in time. It would stop people getting in to the station though, but only if regularly closed.

For those who don't know the layout, the new 'fire exit' is about 6-7 coach lengths down the platform and puts you into a tight corner in the southern car park, which itself will soon be dug up to become cycle parking and a bus station. Don't know where the exit will move to then!

No doubt people with valid tickets will alight trains on platform 1 and gladly appreciate using this exit as a quick way to cross over the bridge into town. And season ticket holders probably like being able to get on the platform quickly too. So I guess there's an upside.

And I wasn't serious about a fare evader complaining!