James Fennell

We heard that power is supplied through the lines at this station by means of a "third rail" This, we heard, is not an uncommon set up in stations nationally: Whilst the third rail runs to the nearside of the track outside of stations it is positioned to the offside of the track within stations_ (2) Signage was reviewed at Wokingham Station following the incident by a Designing Out Crime Unit; and have the report 0 this respect: No recommendations were made with regard to signage atthis station: We heard in evidence that there are small signs at either end of the platform at Wokingham Station, indicating that the lines should not be crossed because of the danger of electrocution. Neither of these signs would be visible from the main area where commuters stand t0 wait for trains_ are small and some distance away: There is a yellow painted line indicating the safe area away from the platform edge, as well as a white line on the platform edge There is no tactile paving Or crosshatch marking between these two lines_ There is no warning of the risk of the live rail visible to commuters on the platform at this station_ This is to be a situation which is replicated in many stations nationally: (5) It was suggested in evidence that most people are aware of the risks of crossing train tracks in this way: accepted the evidence of James' mother that he was not aware of this and am aware of other cases in recent national press in which that was found to be the case: If indeed it is felt that the is well aware of this risk, then there seems to be little point in having signs at the ends of the platform to warn the public of this_ It seems incongruous that the public should need to be warned in an area where there is unlikely to be any member of the present; but no warning in the areas where most of the members of the stand to wait for trains: (6) If the purpose of the signs at the ends of the platform is to warn the public of the risk beyond the platform areas (where the "third rail" is on the nearside of the track) , then it seems to me that this risk is a much smaller one, given the much higher footfall in the platform areas where there are no signs, and no indication whatsoever of this exceptionally high risk cannot conceive of many (if any) scenarios in which electrical power of this magnitude_would be open and accessible without significant signage and Classification: OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE They likely public public public

Classification: OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE warnings: (8) Whilst James did initially step over the rail, as seen on CCTV do not accept that is evidence that James knew of the risk of electrocution It is human nature to step over a rail when walking; particularly given that the third rail is somewhat elevated. (9) accept that excessive signage can carry its own risks_ It is however surprising that there is no signage visible to members of the public, warning them of this risk; except in areas where they are unlikely to stand: Whilst members of the public may be aware that crossing a train line is dangerous, this may be_ because of a perception of the risk of oncoming trains, rather than the risk of electrocution (1O)Whilst it is undoubtedly the case that James was intoxicated at the time of these events , this is not the first case of this nature. consider that there is a risk of future deaths and that other members of the public are likely to be unaware of the significant risk involved in crossing tracks in this way; save in relation to the risk of oncoming trains_
11)1 believe this is an issue which is likely to be relevant to stations nationally; and not just to Wokingham Station: