20.07.20
Network Rail introduces further safety measures as more passengers return
Network Rail are working to reinstate confidence into passengers as more people begin to use the railway again, following Boris Johnston’s announcement on Friday that travel advice is changing with restrictions being lifted.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Network Rail have been working hard to keep its stations and facilities in the most hygienic and best possible condition for passengers, station users and staff.
As well as ‘business as usual’ cleaning regimes, including regular deep cleans, additional deep cleans have been carried out in toilet areas, while sanitiser and anti-viral treatment have been used on common touch-point areas such as doors and handrails.
The number of station staff has also increased to offer information to passengers, encourage the use of face coverings and help people travel safely.
Numerous other measures have also been introduced.
Vending machines have been fitted at Network Rail’s managed stations, 20 of the biggest stations in the country, including Waterloo, King’s Cross and Birmingham New Street, so passengers can buy face coverings, gloves, anti-bacterial wet wipes and hand sanitiser.
Network Rail have also begun a 21-day cycle of Zoono, an anti-viral treatment that guards surfaces for up to 30 days, to all touch point and hygiene areas, and additional touch-point cleaning no less than four-hourly on a continuous cycle, guarding against risk of contamination.
One-way systems and floor stickers have also been put in place to help passengers navigate stations in a controlled way as well as 250 hand sanitiser stations across their managed stations.
Queuing systems to limit the number of people in and out of toilets where required and cubicles, urinals, sinks and dryers have also been marked out of use, and new signage installed, to uphold social distancing.
Seating in stations and waiting rooms have been altered to support distancing.
Andrew Haines, Network Rail Chief Executive, said: “I would like to thank passengers for following Government advice over the last few months. By only travelling if absolutely necessary, you have helped us to operate a reliable service for critical workers, such as doctors, nurses, carers and supermarket workers – who have needed to travel, and to keep the country connected by moving goods such as food and medicine by rail freight.
“Now, as lockdown continues to ease and the nation turns towards recovering from this pandemic, I look forward to welcoming more people back to the railway. We have significantly stepped up cleaning regimes and made sure there are more staff on hand to help with information so you can travel safely.”
Image: Network Rail