No staffing at certain underground TW metro stations

[robertclark125]

Looking on the website for the Tyne and Wear Metro, I randomly clicked on Manors for station information. Next to the staffing of station option, it said that there was no permanent staffing of the station. It also said the same for st. James.

But, as both these stations are underground, then surely there has to be staffing at all times, a matter which I'm sure would've been raised in the 1987 Fennel report.

 

[Mojo]

You are correct.

Sunderland (operated by Northern), Park Lane, Central (Metro section only), Gateshead, Four Lane Ends, Haymarket, Jesmond, Manors, Monument, Heworth, Regent Centre and St James are all classed as sub surface stations and under The Fire Precautions (Sub-surface Railway Stations) (England) Regulations 2009 and must have a minimum of two suitably trained members of staff at all times the station is open.

Further to this, additional staff may be required as per the risk assessment undertaken in accordance with The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. I have no idea if any Tyne/Wear Metro stations have any minimum numbers over two in their risk assessments.

It could be that the staff are not located in a public-facing area of the station (e.g. hidden away in a control room somewhere), or an error on the website.

 

[142094]

What it probably means is that there are no customer-facing staff present, unlike certain other, busier stations.

A lot of the sub-surface stations will have a more visible staff presence when the new barriers come into operation.

 

[ModernRailways]

All the sub surface stations are manned. Some however do not have customer facing staff. Heworth is always manned as it has a control room likewise manors. St James has 1 metro driver (when there train is in the station), 1 member of station staff and 1 cleaner. I am unsure as to whether the cleaner at st James can help out and is suitably qualified.