What should be done with problematic stations such as Peartree?

[Class800]

Moderator note: split from https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/peartree-station-not-accessible.228086/#post-5533193

It's known as a bit of a rough area - but there are plenty stations in rough areas that aren't gated off like that. A ticket barrier may suffice. With video link to a staffed station. This system is used for the rear exit at some stations I know

 

[Andy Pacer]

It's known as a bit of a rough area - but there are plenty stations in rough areas that aren't gated off like that. A ticket barrier may suffice. With video link to a staffed station. This system is used for the rear exit at some stations I know

And it's certainly no more rough than a large proportion of UK station areas.

 

[William3000]

Looking at Google Streetview it just looks like a fairly standard suburban area. It’s one of those stations that should either close or be given a proper service.

 

[Andy Pacer]

Looking at Google Streetview it just looks like a fairly standard sit urban area. It’s one of those stations that should either close or be given a proper service.

Indeed, it's no different to many stations I've visited in (say) the Manchester area.

 

[William3000]

Yes - there are quite a few around:
Bordersley in Birmingham

Ardwick, Reddish South, Denton in Manchester

Manors in Newcastle

Woodhouse and Darnall in Sheffield

 

[Andy Pacer]

Yes - there are quite a few around:
Bordersley in Birmingham

Ardwick, Reddish South, Denton in Manchester

Manors in Newcastle

Woodhouse and Darnall in Sheffield

And are these really considered "rough" ?

 

[birchesgreen]

Bordesley is manually unlocked for it's single train a week, theres no intercom system (or wasn't when i used it last year anyway!)

 

[William3000]

And are these really considered "rough" ?

Sorry I was talking more about level of service rather than roughness. With the exception of Manors which is essentially the eastern part of Newcastle city centre, I would describe the others as certainly being in run down parts of the city - especially Bordersley, Ardwick, Denton, Darnall.

 

[Southern Dvr]

And are these really considered "rough" ?

Ardwick is not in the most pleasant of surroundings.

 

[Andy Pacer]

Ardwick is not in the most pleasant of surroundings.

Agreed - I've been there, but only seemed comparable with many others.

 

[The exile]

Agreed - I've been there, but only seemed comparable with many others.

and from what I remember, doesn't have much of a (very) "local population" - which will decrease its attractiveness as a place to hang out and be antisocial. Contrast with certain stations in leafy Surrey and Hampshire, which I understand have had periods of difficulties with anti-social behaviour. You'd hardly class some of them as being "rough areas" [I'm deliberately "protecting identities" here as it's a general point rather than having a go at any particular town] but like many dormitory towns will no doubt have a pool of "talent" with not enough to do, for whom the station is a free (and ironically reasonably safe) meeting point.

 

[gazr]

Peartree does seem to have over the top security, and you have to wonder if it's to do with the branch line and the kind of freight that goes along it, as well as the company it's being delivered to. Did RR pay for the station to be secured in such a way?

 

[Andy Pacer]

Peartree does seem to have over the top security, and you have to wonder if it's to do with the branch line and the kind of freight that goes along it, as well as the company it's being delivered to. Did RR pay for the station to be secured in such a way?

Wouldn't really describe it as a "branch line"

 

[Class800]

Indeed, it's no different to many stations I've visited in (say) the Manchester area.

I would agree. But if you do a search for 'rough areas of Derby', Peartree is listed. However, I don't think this is sufficient reason for its differential treatment in being gated - not ticket gates, an actual entrance gate

 

[Dr Hoo]

I was under the impression that Peartree was 'normally closed' to discourage self harming actions rather than more general types of behaviour.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

I was under the impression that Peartree was 'normally closed' to discourage self harming actions rather than more general types of behaviour.

Correct. Very quiet station, secluded platforms not overlooked, long periods where distressed individuals could otherwise be alone, few stopping services but frequent trains at high speed.

 

[30907]

Correct. Very quiet station, secluded platforms not overlooked, long periods where distressed individuals could otherwise be alone, few stopping services but frequent trains at high speed.

...and thus significantly different from the others mentioned.

 

[Trainfan2019]

Peartree does seem to have over the top security, and you have to wonder if it's to do with the branch line and the kind of freight that goes along it, as well as the company it's being delivered to. Did RR pay for the station to be secured in such a way?

I've also wondered the same thing about the security actually. From what I've read in recent years, when the Sinfin branch line stations were open (only one had public access though) and in use, very few passenger trains served the line. Not sure if the public Sinfin station (Central) was only accessible by train or not though.