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Another first for Merseyrail – all stations and car parks accredited as secure: 18 February 2010; Merseyrail has become the first fully secure rail network in the UK with all 66 stations and 36 car parks accredited.

Bebington, on the Wirral Line, became the last remaining car park to gain the coveted status when a certificate confirming the final accreditation was handed over by Inspector Gary Jones of British Transport Police at a ceremony attended by representatives from Merseytravel, Merseyrail, British Transport Police and Carlisle Security.

Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, said: “This is a tremendous achievement and goes to reinforce our commitment to providing one of the safest rail networks in the UK”

Councillor Chris Blakeley, Chair of Merseytravel’s Rail Committee, added:

“This accreditation will be welcomed by the many thousands of passengers who use the network which is now the safest and the best in the country.”

Stations and station car parks which have “secure” status are regularly re-assessed to ensure that high standards are maintained. Tough industry standards evaluate safety measures such as CCTV, design standards of buildings and facilities and the quality of customer services.

The rigorous assessment is carried out by the British Transport Police on behalf of the Department for Transport in association with Crime Concern.

Bart Schmeink, Merseyrail’s Managing Director said “When others in the rail industry told us that it was impossible to have all of our stations and car parks accredited as secure, we decided that we would prove them wrong. Just because others can’t do it, doesn’t mean that we at Merseyrail can’t as we have proved in other areas such as our pioneering approach to anti-social behaviour on trains.”

“Personal security whilst travelling by Merseyrail is a top priority for our passengers and for us and we will continue to work with our partners to make it as good as humanely possible”

“I thank our partners Merseytravel, British Transport Police and Carlisle Security for their contribution to this fantastic achievement.”

Superintendent Pete Holden of British Transport Police said: “This latest award is the culmination of excellent partnership work and is testament to the efforts made to create a rail environment that is as safe as possible.

“Liverpool-based officers, together with BTP’s crime reduction advisors, have worked hand in hand with Merseyrail to take action against those who commit crime on the network and to reduce opportunities for those who would seek to carry out criminal behaviour.

“This partnership approach will continue to ensure Merseyside’s railways remain as safe as possible.”

Photograph attached shows from left to right: Councillor Chris Blakeley, Peter Morton, Merseyrail Finance and Commercial Director and Inspector Gary Jones watched by representatives from Merseytravel, Merseyrail, British Transport Police and Carlisle Security.; Back to Media Centre