Network Rail tripod ban?

[stephenhartley]

I visited King's Cross yesterday, signed in at reception, watched the safety briefing and attempted to set up camera and tripod at the far end of the platforms, furthest from ticket barriers. Within minutes a member of NR staff (very politely) informed me that "tripods are banned in the platform areas at Kings's Cross".

I thought I was clear on Network Rail Guidelines for Railway Enthusiasts, which don't explicitly ban tripods, but do say:

On busy stations, you may not be allowed to use a tripod because it could be a dangerous obstruction to passengers.

I'd be interested to know if anyone has had similar experiences using tripods, and how individual stations have handled them. Is the "ban" official NR policy, or at the discretion of station management at each location?

I've written an email to NR to enquire whether they have a list of locations at which they consider the use of tripods to be banned, and will share their response if useful...

 

[PaxVobiscum]

I've had something similar at St Pancras - they wouldn't even allow a monopod on the platforms (I had to leave it in the duty manager's office).
Perhaps they were anticipating the new standards on OHLE clearances :roll:

 

[Temple Meads]

I've used a tripod at King's Cross a few times with no issues, the most recent occasion being January.

To be honest, unless you're planning a long visit, and you can get through the barriers (if they are in use a travelcard should open them) I wouldn't bother with the signing-in process unless requested to.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

I've used a tripod at King's Cross a few times with no issues, the most recent occasion being January.

To be honest, unless you're planning a long visit, and you can get through the barriers (if they are in use a travelcard should open them) I wouldn't bother with the signing-in process unless requested to.

The risk with avoiding the sign-in at such a major station is what might happen after a shift change among station staff. The new person might "discover" your presence on the station "without permission" and ask you to leave with no option to sign-in and remain. During normal times this is probably an unlikely scenario but what if something elsewhere in London causes Network Rail to raise their security alert level? And if enthusiasts more widely decide that signing-in, or at least making their presence known, is something to be avoided then it would be no surprise if Network Rail were to reconsider their current policy of "welcoming enthusiasts". Enthusiast access to stations is not an automatic right so it would be unwise to sour the situation unnecessarily.

 

[richieb1971]

I went to London to spend a day. At almost every station someone approached me and complained about something or other. In the end I went home and didn't film anything.

I'm never going again.

 

[Temple Meads]

The risk with avoiding the sign-in at such a major station is what might happen after a shift change among station staff. The new person might "discover" your presence on the station "without permission" and ask you to leave with no option to sign-in and remain. During normal times this is probably an unlikely scenario but what if something elsewhere in London causes Network Rail to raise their security alert level? And if enthusiasts more widely decide that signing-in, or at least making their presence known, is something to be avoided then it would be no surprise if Network Rail were to reconsider their current policy of "welcoming enthusiasts". Enthusiast access to stations is not an automatic right so it would be unwise to sour the situation unnecessarily.

I can certainly see your point, and if I was planning a long photographic stay at a station I would consider signing in, however for 10 to 15 minutes or so, I honestly don't think it's worth it.

If you haven't signed in I don't think a shift change affects things either way - the current staff are just as likely to inquire about your activities as the incoming ones.

 

[Temple Meads]

I went to London to spend a day. At almost every station someone approached me and complained about something or other. In the end I went home and didn't film anything.

I'm never going again.

Strange, that's never happened to me in plenty of visits to London!

 

[gray1404]

I fail to see how using a tripod on that far area of the platform, as shown in the photo, could be an obstruction to passengers. If a train pulled into that part of the platform then that is a different matter.

 

[Bevan Price]

Writing as a former workplace safety representative, any object on a platform is a potential "trip hazard" to other users, which includes rail staff & other enthusiasts, as well as passengers. "Object" includes tripods, plus other items such as bags, camera cases, etc., "parked" thoughtlessly on platforms. You cannot automatically assume that people will notice such items when they are below eye level - they may have their mind on something else

Try to learn to manage without a tripod, especially if you are not recording video.

 

[ash39]

Yes but as gray1404 pointed out, it's only a trip hazard if there are people there to trip over it. If you're up at the end of the platform away from the flow of people surely it's not an issue.

 

[theironroad]

Writing as a former workplace safety representative, any object on a platform is a potential "trip hazard" to other users, which includes rail staff & other enthusiasts, as well as passengers. "Object" includes tripods, plus other items such as bags, camera cases, etc., "parked" thoughtlessly on platforms. You cannot automatically assume that people will notice such items when they are below eye level - they may have their mind on something else

Try to learn to manage without a tripod, especially if you are not recording video.

There are trip hazards and trip hazards. If someone can't see a camera and tripod on a platform I'd question whether they should be required to be escorted on all platforms.

Faulty cabling, uneven flagstones, inspection out hatches not closed properly, I'd agree are all decent trip hazards needing sorting.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

You'd be surprised how many people stumble over their own tripods

Also platform ends tend to be narrower posing more risk and possibly signal sighting at some stations

To the OP: can you improve your technique and ditch the tripod?

 

[richieb1971]

I can see the danger of a tripod if your near the edge of a platform. I've turned around to get something out of my bag, turned back round and moved one of my feet and clipped the leg of the tripod. I suppose its quite possible I could stumble when a fast train comes and fall off the platform to my doom or knock the tripod into the path of the train, which could have lots of weird and wonderful outcomes.

Much prefer line side. But nowadays finding a field that isn't private property or a bridge that doesn't have 7 foot high walls is becoming increasingly difficult.