Railings to protect against station yobs in Bognor

Southern Railway wants to install the 1.8m high railings across the Richmond Road entrance.

They will stretch between the station building's ticket office on the southern side of the concourse and the taxi office on the opposite side.

The railings will match the existing set around the station's perimeter.

But Southern's area facilities manager, Paul Best, says these are in a poor state of repair.

The adjoining pair of ornate gates are so weak through neglect and age they can no longer swing shut.

A report by the Department for Transport and British Transport Police showed this lack of security at night led those at the station to feel at risk.

This was especially the case because the concourse was hidden from view from passing traffic.

"Unfortunately, Bognor station is often subject to anti social behaviour towards the end of the service causing upset and concern to both passengers and staff using and working at the station late at night," he says in a statement.

"This statement supports Southern's application to increase the security of the station by installing railings to match those existing along the perimeter and allow the station to be closed once the last train has departed and at other times, when necessary, when station managers and staff are dealing with anti social behaviour."

The rail operator has submitted a planning application to Arun District Council to install the railings.

A 2.5m-wide swing gate would be put into them halfway across the concourse, two metres from the main building, to provide access.

Listed building consent for the work has also been sought by the company to reflect the 1902 station's status as a grade two listed building.

Mr Best adds the railings will be secured to the concourse floor rather than the building to avoid the need to interfere with the historic structure.

The railings will be mild steel, pre-galvanised and powder coated in black.

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