Transport minister confirms new gates for London stations

20/02/2009

The minister for transport Lord Adonis has announced that 14 of London's rail stations will benefit from 68 new ticket gates and machines.

In a letter to the Evening Standard, he explains that the £5.5 million scheme for the new gates will begin next month.

The gates will be staffed when operational at first, but from next year will be manned for 15 hours a day, including between 7pm and 11pm, so passengers feel safe at night.

Lord Adonis says the new gates scheme is the first stage in improvements to rail station staffing.

By the end of next year, a further 29 stations will have new gates, he adds.

The gates will not only help people feel more secure when on the stations, but also help cut down on fare dodgers, Lord Adonis explains.

Stations due to get new gates between March and August include Streatham Common, Peckham Rye, Purley and Thornton Heath.