Christopher McGee------The Liverpool Rail Guard.

[Patti]

I agree that the railways have somehow gotten away with not upgrading stations (and level crossings etc) to a standard of safety which would be expected in just about any other industry, and especially one which is used by so many members of the public.

I don't like it when you agree with me....Is it my turn to clean the fridge? 

[Jo]

I wonder if it would be somehow viable to put a noise alert alarm on the outside of trains that go off when there is something near them, a bit like some cars have reverse alarms on them. I can see it being expensive and I don't know if it'd work.......

[susan]

Hi Bridget  it is all down to profit before people.  The railway system in this Country suffered years and years of neglect and cannot be turned around over night it will take time but they are making progress and things will be made more safe

[Patti]

I wonder if it would be somehow viable to put a noise alert alarm on the outside of trains that go off when there is something near them, a bit like some cars have reverse alarms on them. I can see it being expensive and I don't know if it'd work.......

Something like an electronic message....." Please stand clear of the train it is about to move" or something like that....

[Patti]

Hi Bridget  it is all down to profit before people.  The railway system in this Country suffered years and years of neglect and cannot be turned around over night it will take time but they are making progress and things will be made more safe

Hi Susan

Its the same with drainage system, it has never had a revamp since Victorian times.  Our drains are inadequate to take the type of flash floods we are having....But our drains don't make a profit; our railways systems do....But, like you say there has been some changes to some stations....but not all. 

[susan]

Hi Joanne01  your idea is a good one but with all the movement on the platforms I don't think it would be successful.  The guard who travels at the back of the train is paid to check all passengers are safe doors shut before he gives the signal for the train to depart the station.  I agree the gap between the train and the platform should be fitted with a metal grid to prevent passengers slipping between the platform and the train and I am sure this work will be done across the country at some stage.  It is sad that the Liverpool guard misjudged the situation although he was aware that the young lady was heavily under the influence of drink as her and her friend had got off the train at the previous station by mistake and got back on the train.  Very sad case for everyone involved.  Lessons should be learnt.

[susan]

Hello Patti Our local Councils are responsible for our drainage systems and they never seem to have enough money to do the things they should.  When the Railways were taken over by private companies they were so run down i.e. all the track need renewing, the trains were our of date I could go on and on.  Railways are now being run at a profit just think of the East Coast Line run by Virgin Trains the most upto date trains you could wish for with a fast reliable service. Just think of how all the Rail Companies have improved over the past say 10 years and things will only get better I promise you

[Jo]

It was an ill conceived idea! Everytime another train passed it'd be a nightmare! Does each train have a guard?

[susan]

Hi Joanne I would have thought so passenger trains anyway.  The guard operates the braking system of the carriages only and the driver the engine.The engine cannot move without the signal from the guard.  Not one hundred percent on that but I know a man who will know and I will talk to him when I speak with him at the weekend.  Can't wait to get his views on this one.

[susan]

Hi Patti  but surely Building Regulations would insist that the wall was safe before a Completion Certificate was issued for the house to be occupied.  Once that is issued they have no control over the property that is how Building Regs work in Scotland probably different in Yorkshire.

[Bridget]

Hi Patti  but surely Building Regulations would insist that the wall was safe before a Completion Certificate was issued for the house to be occupied.  Once that is issued they have no control over the property that is how Building Regs work in Scotland probably different in Yorkshire.

It's the same here I believe.

[Patti]

Hi Patti  but surely Building Regulations would insist that the wall was safe before a Completion Certificate was issued for the house to be occupied.  Once that is issued they have no control over the property that is how Building Regs work in Scotland probably different in Yorkshire.

Yes it would Susan.  When I had a new house built in 19XX at Cragdale (in my rich days)    The builders had put massive boulders in the edge of my back garden; which was not a problem for it could be landscaped.  But, around the side of my house was a 30ft pathway and below that pathway was a sheer drop into the garden.  Before completion, the builders had to put it right.  I had a wrought iron fence put up to my liking, at their cost, but I had to buy the gate. They had to comply with building regulations.  it was not so straight forward, there were debates over it....lol 

[Bridget]

Yes it would Susan.  When I had a new house built in 19XX at Cragdale (in my rich days)    The builders had put massive boulders in the edge of my back garden; which was not a problem for it could be landscaped.  But, around the side of my house was a 30ft pathway and below that pathway was a sheer drop into the garden.  Before completion, the builders had to put it right.  I had a wrought iron fence put up to my liking, at their cost, but I had to buy the gate. They had to comply with building regulations.  it was not so straight forward, there were debates over it....lol 

But that's because they were building it, and needed the completion certificate. Earlier you were talking about a resale, building regs don't apply to those.

[susan]

Hi Patti  Planning and Building Regulations is never straight forward and debates can go on for months but I suppose it is a good thing they are in place as who knows what kind of houses we would end up with In Scotland maybe the same in England we have to build a ramp at a door to the house for wheel chair access and doors have to be a certain width for wheel chair access.  Can be quite a nightmare at times.  The latest nonsense is a new house has to have the old fashioned pulley for drying clothes this is all to save energy with driers

[susan]

Bridget quite right once the Completion Certificate is issued and you come to sell the house providing the house is built as per plans you are OK but if anything structural has been changed  it cold be questioned by the buyer and the plans have to be amended by the local authority before the sale goes through and of course we have these dreadful expensive nightmare Home Reports in Scotland.