Barnham train cancellations leads to '˜unsafe' number of people on platform

Train cancellations have led to an '˜unsafe' number of passengers on station platforms, residents have complained after overcrowding in Barnham train station yesterday.
Barnham train stationBarnham train station
Barnham train station

Following a number of cancelled trains yesterday afternoon (June 16), Barnham train station was pictured looking overly-crowded with adults and school children waiting for a train.

Aiden Skinner, from Barnham, said: The amount of people on the platform was so unsafe yesterday and station staff were not anywhere to be seen.

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“I believe given time this could get worse and could cause a serious incident.”

A Southern Rail spokesperson said: “We are sorry for the considerable inconvenience caused to our passengers due to cancellations we have been forced to make as a result of a high level of sickness and a reluctance to work rest days by some of our train crew.

“Cancelling services is not something we do lightly - it is only ever done as a last resort, but the temporary shortfall in available train crew has compromised our ability to operate a robust train service on a daily basis.”

They added: “Barnham has suffered from cancellations as much as anywhere else and unfortunately this can lead to crowding on our stations at times.

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“However, we have systems in place to ensure that our passengers are safe should crowding become an issue.

“Had station management at Barnham felt that this was the case, a queuing system would have been instigated.

“Safety of our passengers and staff is our number one priority and we can assure our passengers that Barnham is no exception when it comes to ensuring everyone is safe at our stations.”

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