Minister of Rail, Huw Merriman has said that Hayes station is on a list of potential sites for Southeastern to apply for funding to install ticker barriers. This follows a campaign being run by your local Councillors, Josh Coldspring-White, Alexa Michael and Thomas Turrell.
The Ministers response was in answer submitted by Member of Parliament for Beckenham, Bob Stewart MP, at the Councillors request. The question and answer can be seen below:
Question (Bob Stewart MP):
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of installing ticket barriers at Hayes railway station in the context of trends in fare evasion on the Mid-Kent line?
Tabled on: 15 April 2024
Answer:
Huw Merriman:
Southeastern is assessing the viability of installing ticket barriers at several of its stations including Hayes. Network Rail's Industry Revenue Generating Investment Fund allows the train operating companies to apply for funding for schemes that are financially positive and reduce the cost of rail to the public purse. Installing ticket barriers at Hayes is one of several potential schemes Southeastern is considering for an application to the fund later in the year. Applications will be assessed as part of a competitive process, therefore submitting a bid for a scheme is no guarantee of funding.
The answer was submitted on 22 Apr 2024 at 15:38.
Thomas said:
“I am pleased to see that Hayes is on the list of potential sites. The is a clear case for these barriers to help reduce fare evasion and reduce anti-social behaviour on Station Approach. It is really important that Southeastern do apply for funding for Hayes station and this something that we will continue to chase and pressure them to do.”
Residents who agree that Hayes should have barriers can sign our petition calling for this at change.org/p/hayes-and-coney-hall-residents-call-for-southeastern-to-install-ticket-barriers
