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recurance

Public access to live rail at platform end

Closely relatedConfidence 0.85 · high16 reports · 2016–2025 One-page brief (print or PDF)

Network Rail received 16 coroners' reports about this hazard between 26 Feb 2016 and 1 Jul 2025.

They came from 14 different coroners in 14 coroner areas. A similar concern was raised again 15 times after the first warning.

A published response was found for 15 of the 15 earlier reports, stating 11 specific actions.

16
reports
14
different coroners
2016–2025
years
0.85
lowest link confidence

The story, report by report

Spacing grows with the time between reports.

  1. First warning

    Jakovas Fofonovas↗

    26 Feb 2016 · Andrew Harris · London Inner (South)

    “Recommendations in The BTP Post Fatality Report to create a safer environment at the bridge and restrict public access to the railway had not been effected by the time of the inquest.”
    Original on judiciary.uk ↗

    Network Rail responded, stating 3 specific actions.Response (PDF) ↗

    “The new footbridge railings are at the current industry standard height of 1250mm.”

    Web search (Tavily): No evidence found either way

    Vertical Circulation ↗
    “We are in the process of installing acoustic fencing on both sides of the track at a height of 3m. This will also have anti-climb wire extensions fitted as an additional deterrent at certain sections.”

    Web search (Tavily): No evidence found either way

    QTS worked on behalf of Network Rail to deliver anti trespass ... ↗

    1 more stated action in the Promises tab.

  2. 5 months later

    Raised again · 1st time

    Susan Hamlett↗

    4 Aug 2016 · Ian Pears · Bedfordshire and Luton

    “The gate is of wooden construction and | provides little deterrence or hindrance to someone wanting to gain access to the railway”
    Original on judiciary.uk ↗

    Network Rail responded, stating 1 specific action.Response (PDF) ↗

    “In relation to the wooden gate, this gate will be upgraded by the 2° December 2016, as part of a comprehensive upgrade to the fencing at this site.”

    Stated timescale: 2 December 2016

    Web search (Tavily): Evidence found that the action was carried out

    QTS worked on behalf of Network Rail to deliver anti trespass ... ↗
  3. 1 month later

    Raised again · 2nd time

    Stephen Cahill↗

    23 Aug 2016 · Ian Pears · Bedfordshire and Luton

    “Both the gate and | fence provide little deterrence or hindrance to someone wanting to gain | access to the railway”
    Original on judiciary.uk ↗

    Network Rail responded, stating 1 specific action.Response (PDF) ↗

    “e We have commissioned works to enhance the fencing and gates in this area. These works will be delivered by 15”

    Stated timescale: 15

    Web search (Tavily): Evidence found that the action was carried out

    Right-of-way fencing ↗
  4. 8 months later

    Raised again · 3rd time

    Daniel Campbell↗

    13 Apr 2017 · Tony Brown · North Northumberland

    Closely relatedConfidence 0.90 · higha different coroner
    “Photographs of the location where the death occurred, provided by British Transport Police show that various sections of fencing and walls separating the public footpath from the railway line were broken, missing or in disrepair.”
    Original on judiciary.uk ↗

    Repeated from the earlier report:BritishTransportrailwayline

    Network Rail responded, stating 1 specific action.Response (PDF) ↗

    “Network Rail has reviewed the active fencing proposals for upgrade on both sides of the track in the section where the incident occurred and have included these in our 2018 renewals plan”

    Stated timescale: 2018 renewals plan

    Web search (Tavily): Evidence found that the action was carried out

    Review of Network Rail's proposed costs ↗
  5. 8 months later

    Raised again · 4th time

    Scott Rayner↗

    20 Dec 2017 · Edward Solomons · Hertfordshire

    Closely relatedConfidence 0.90 · higha different coroner
    “fencing beside the railway track was inadequate especially at the rear of a scrap metal dealer located off St Albans Road and Bedford Street”
    Original on judiciary.uk ↗

    Repeated from the earlier report:fencingrailway

    Network Rail responded, stating 1 specific action.Response (PDF) ↗

    “in line with this recommendation, an inspection was undertaken by Network Rail's local operations team on 17 May 2017 to establish ownership and condition of the boundary fencing”

    Stated timescale: 17 May 2017

    Web search (Tavily): No evidence found either way

  6. 6 months later

    Raised again · 5th time

    Andrew Hanahoe↗

    19 Jun 2018 · Ian Pears · Bedfordshire & Luton

    Closely relatedConfidence 0.90 · higha different coroner
    “If the crossing is a recognised”
    Original on judiciary.uk ↗

    Network Rail responded.Response (PDF) ↗

  7. 1 month later

    Raised again · 6th time

    Bartholomew Coleman↗

    10 Jul 2018 · Brendan Allen · Dorset

    Closely relatedConfidence 0.92 · higha different coroner
    “I am concerned that the railway track is easily accessible to members of the public from this bridge.”
    Original on judiciary.uk ↗

    Repeated from the earlier report:railwaypublicbridge

    Network Rail responded, stating 1 specific action.Response (PDF) ↗

    “Network Rail is planning to apply mitigation measures (wire mesh panels with base plated fence posts fixed to the top of the parapet walls) to the parapet walls to further deter access to the track below. An order has now been placed with Network Rail's framework contractors in respect of these works, with an anticipated completion date of the end of September 2018.”

    Stated timescale: end of September 2018

    Web search (Tavily): Evidence found that the action was carried out

    QTS worked on behalf of Network Rail to deliver anti trespass ... ↗
  8. 0 months later

    Raised again · 7th time

    Taiyah-Grace Peebles↗

    24 Jul 2018 · Ian Goldup · North East Kent

    “The absence of an end of platform barrier and the existence of a live rail at ground level that might be accessible to members of the public may in my opinion create a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken”
    Original on judiciary.uk ↗

    Network Rail responded, stating 1 specific action.Response (PDF) ↗

    “In your report, you state that”

    Stated timescale: by the end of 2018 with some being finished in early 2019

    Web search (Tavily): Evidence found that the action was carried out

    Safety gates installed across South East to reduce trespass ... ↗
  9. 2 months later

    Raised again · 8th time

    Kevin Sherwood↗

    11 Sept 2018 · Geoffrey Sullivan · Hertfordshire

    Identical hazardConfidence 0.95 · higha different coroner
    “Only post and wire fencing at the rallway boundary In this area. The areas on both sides off the tckneild Way, particularly to the west of the railway, are used by dog walkers and others”
    Original on judiciary.uk ↗

    Repeated from the earlier report:fencingrailway

    Network Rail responded.Response (PDF) ↗

  10. 5 months later

    Raised again · 9th time

    Steven Key↗

    25 Feb 2019 · Robert Chapman · Cumbria

    Identical hazardConfidence 0.95 · higha different coroner
    “The fencing at the scene of Mr [name redacted] death was a low wooden fence which was easy to climb over.”
    Original on judiciary.uk ↗

    Network Rail responded, stating 1 specific action.Response (PDF) ↗

    “seriously and has taken additional measures beyond those required by its standards, to install additional meshing and netting at this location to act as an increased deterrent to climbing”
  11. 5 months later

    Raised again · 10th time

    Carl Klimaytys↗

    7 Aug 2019 · Veronica Hamilton-Deeley · Brighton and Hove

    Closely relatedConfidence 0.90 · higha different coroner
    “found that [the deceased] died instantly as a result of electrocution when he came in contact with the electric rail at 0557 hrs on the 23 December, 2018.”
    Original on judiciary.uk ↗
  12. 8 months later

    Raised again · 11th time

    Jordan Aira↗

    30 Mar 2020 · Caroline Topping · Surrey

    Identical hazardConfidence 0.95 · higha different coroner
    “There were no physical boundaries at the end of the platform preventing members of the public accessing the railway tracks.”
    Original on judiciary.uk ↗

    Repeated from the earlier report:platformmemberspublic

    Network Rail responded.Response (PDF) ↗

  13. 1 year 2 months later

    Raised again · 12th time

    Callum Evans↗

    18 May 2021 · Jason Pegg · Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton

    Identical hazardConfidence 0.90 · higha different coroner
    “The railway station has an absence of signage stating the presence and risk to life of a live rail on the railway tracks which can be seen by those entering the railway station or whilst on the central part of the platform”
    Original on judiciary.uk ↗

    Repeated from the earlier report:riskliverail

    Network Rail responded.Response (PDF) ↗

  14. 0 months later

    Raised again · 13th time

    Christine Gould↗

    28 May 2021 · Nicholas Moss QC · Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

    Identical hazardConfidence 0.90 · higha different coroner
    “(3) I am concerned that your investigation into, and consideration of, [name redacted]' death did not keep a sufficiently open mind that she may have climbed the boundary fence to access the railway line.”
    Original on judiciary.uk ↗

    Repeated from the earlier report:deathfence

    Network Rail responded, stating 1 specific action.Response (PDF) ↗Response (PDF) ↗

    “Following notification of the Regulation 28 report, a member of the Investigation Review Team within the British Transport Police was commissioned to review the investigation of [the deceased], the scope of this review was limited to the matters of concern. This review offered recommendations of which a number are included within this response.”
  15. 2 years 9 months later

    Raised again · 14th time

    Vanessa Ford↗

    4 Mar 2024 · Ian Potter · Inner North London

    Closely relatedConfidence 0.90 · higha different coroner
    “The concern here is that there is evidence to suggest that access to the railway tracks by members of the public may be a frequent issue in this vicinity.”
    Original on judiciary.uk ↗

    Repeated from the earlier report:railwaymemberspublic

  16. 1 year 4 months later

    Raised again · 15th time

    Jody Robb↗

    1 Jul 2025 · Crispin Oliver · County Durham and Darlington

    Identical hazardConfidence 0.90 · higha different coroner
    “Access to the [REDACTED] from the platform is not sufficiently barred or impeded to the public.”
    Original on judiciary.uk ↗

    Repeated from the earlier report:platformpublic

    Network Rail responded.Response (PDF) ↗

  17. All reports to Network Rail

Next

This shows that a similar concern was raised again after an earlier report. It does not say why, and it is not a finding about any organisation or person. To report an error, see the corrections route.

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Source: Prevention of Future Deaths reports and responses published by the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary at judiciary.uk. Crown copyright, used under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Data updated 26 Oct 2026.

A link shows that a similar concern was raised again, not why. It is not a finding about any organisation or person. Methodology and responsible use · Report an error