Platform edge white lining.

[83G/84D]

Is there any legal or legislative requirement for TOC's or Network Rail to ensure platform edge white lines are painted regularly?

Lots of stations appear not to have theirs done for some time.

 

[asylumxl]

I would assume it's for visually impaired peoples benefit, the contrast helping indicate the edge of the platform. Could be useful for people with normal vision in the dark too.

I don't think even when faded the contrast is lessened enough to matter though, i don't know.

 

[swt_passenger]

The platform edge marking is defined in a fairly straightforward manner in RGS GI/RT7016

11.2.3 Marking platform edges
11.2.3.1 Platform edges shall be clearly identified by visible marking and provision of a tactile surface.

So it doesn't seem to have to be white, but I can't think of any I've seen in a different colour. There are no obvious exclusions to this requirement - but the difficulty is pinning down a liability on the TOC or NR to carry out preventive maintainance...

I've seen people repainting the white edge at my local (SWT) stations using a quick drying white paint, while the station was open, I think they were SWT employees.

 

[CosherB]

It's very useful on the Tube at busy times. You arrive at a crowded platform expecting a crowded train to arrive so you need to be right by a door when the train stops to stand a chance of getting on.

Tube trains always stop in the same place in the platform, so where the doors are when the train's in the station the white edging on the platform is discoloured by the shoes of passengers getting on and off - and that's where you stand.

It works!

 

[Old Timer]

Until the RGS guidelines were issued, there was no legal requirement for platform edges to be marked in any way.

The white lining of platform edges originally was introduced during WW2 so as passengers could determine the platform edge during the Blackout period. This was however intended to apply to stations which were not under complete cover. Many stations especialy terminal stations did not have white lines for that reason.

The practice was not discontinued after the War, and was simply taken forward into BR days. The requirement was that only the main platform edge was whitened, not the ramps.

 

[83G/84D]

Until the RGS guidelines were issued, there was no legal requirement for platform edges to be marked in any way.

The white lining of platform edges originally was introduced during WW2 so as passengers could determine the platform edge during the Blackout period. This was however intended to apply to stations which were not under complete cover. Many stations especialy terminal stations did not have white lines for that reason.

The practice was not discontinued after the War, and was simply taken forward into BR days. The requirement was that only the main platform edge was whitened, not the ramps.

Very interesting - thanks.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

On a slightly different "paint" matter, is it the responsibility for whososever manages a station to ensure that the yellow "safety line" on the platform is kept in good order and over-painted where necessary? On a busy commuter station, I can well imagine sections of this painted line being worn away over the passage of time.

 

[swt_passenger]

On a slightly different "paint" matter, is it the responsibility for whososever manages a station to ensure that the yellow "safety line" on the platform is kept in good order and over-painted where necessary? On a busy commuter station, I can well imagine sections of this painted line being worn away over the passage of time.

Depends if the yellow line is actually required or not in accordance with the group standards. They are only required for passenger trains passing at over 100 mph, or freight at over 60 mph. (Same reference as mentioned above.)

There are unnecessary yellow lines all over the place, especially at terminal platforms...

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Depends if the yellow line is actually required or not in accordance with the group standards. They are only required for passenger trains passing at over 100 mph, or freight at over 60 mph.

Thanks for the information. It was with the container/freight trains that I had in mind.

 

[HH]

TOCs tend to paint all platforms with White & Yellow lines on a regular basis (every 2 years is standard). Occasionally that slips.

Certainly there's a wide-held belief that it's necessary for safety reasons.

 

[Gareth]

To be fair, it doesn't do any harm, so why not?

Now, speed bumps on roads. They're evil.