Community safety initiatives have played a big part in train operating companies’ ongoing development and these have been recognised by National Express stations’ receiving awards under the secure station scheme and, achieving two ‘Highly Commended’ certificates at the 2008 National Cycle-Rail awards held in November.

Secure Stations Diss, Harwich International, Ipswich and Stowmarket stations have all been reaccredited under the Secure Stations Scheme - a national awards scheme which recognises good practices where train operators have worked in partnership with the British Transport Police (BTP) and other partners in implementing security measures at stations,taking into account areas such as station design, management practices, security and passenger safety.

The stations have been reaccredited for two further years from 1 October and new Secure Stations Award certificates have been presented to station staff by Jackie Gibbs, Head of Retail and Customer Services (Mainline) for National Express East Anglia, and Keith Jackson, Area Crime Reduction Offi cer for BTP.

National Cycle-Rail Awards The ATOC National Cycle-Rail Awards 2008 were held at the Novotel London Euston on the 7 November. The Awards recognise the progress made by the rail industry and associated organisations towards encouraging integrated cycle-rail travel. The Awards communicate the good practice used by the railways to the industry and enables ATOC to move closer to their goals of spending more time, effort, thought and resources on improving the experience of cyclists using the railway.

National Express East Anglia was commended for its work on three new projects designed to make a positive difference to cyclists including increased security measures:

1. A trial with the BTP to develop a new security scheme for passengers parking cycles at Chelmsford proved very successful and was extended to Billericay, Rayleigh, Wickford, Ipswich, Cambridge, Harlow and Ware. The initiative involved transponders being given to cyclists thereby discouraging theft and improving the chances of recovery if a bike were to be taken.
2. The second development was the introduction of additional cycle parking in a joint initiative with Hertfordshire County Council for the stations at Bishops Stortford, Cheshunt, Rye House, Sawbridgeworth, St. Margarets and Waltham Cross.
3. The train operator’s third action was their proactive support for the successful bids from Colchester and Southend to be chosen as Cycling Demonstration Towns. In doing so the train operator committed to work with the local councils to encourage cycling to and from the rail stations, as part of the relevant action plans.

National Express East Anglia has also continued to increase CCTV coverage for cycle storage areas at stations and provide better signage highlighting cycle storage locations on trains. In addition support was maintained for the London – Southend bike ride, providing special tain services for participants and their bicycles. Andrew Chivers, Managing Director, National Express East Anglia said, ‘I am delighted that National Express East Anglia has received this recognition at the National Cycle-Rail Awards. We have consistently championed the needs of cyclists, taking steps to make travel by train easier for cyclists in East Anglia’. For more information, please visit: www.nationalexpresseastanglia.com