Great Western Coffee Shop

On Filton station last night there was a complete and utter idiot, obviously the worse for wear, arsing about on the platform edge, and at one time actually decided to wander around on the tracks. His 2 female companions did their best to stop him and faced with a somewhat decidedly dodgy character none of the other waiting passengers could do anything about averting what was looking increasingly like an accident.

Anyway the reason for posting is that there were no readily available emergency numbers on the Bristol bound platform that anyone could ring to report the problem, no BTP, control etc, just the current running times number.

I reported it to the guard when I boarded, and he confirmed that the driver had also witnessed his antics on approach.

I was wondering if ANY station has readily viewable emergency numbers, Filton^s aren^t immeadiately to hand that^s for sure.   >:(

Don't think you will find emergency numbers on stations anywhere. If you need to just call 999.

That's not entirely true, actually...

The number to phone is 0800 40 50 40. It's a Freefone number. I programmed it into my daughter's phone a long while ago (she travels alone a lot)

From a British Transport Police flyer:


(http://www.terrascope.co.uk/images/TravelWise.jpg)

use the bt police freephone for non emergency stuff,if it is an emergency like you witnessed (potential fatality)use 999 and they will contact network rail to put lines on stop and send either civilian police or bt police whoever can attend first

If you look at the Network Rail notices on bridges, then there's an emergency number for bridge strikes - 08457 11 41 41.

Given that a bridge strike is an emergency as far as an approaching train is concerned, would this be faster than ringing 999?

999 is the quickest and simplest way for members of the public to get in contact with Network Rail in an emergency.

0800 numbers aren't free on a mobile.  >:(

And it would be useful if there was a sign that said use 999 as I'm sure everyone there would have liked to have contacted the 'railway' direct if they could have a number that was clearly visible.

As a member of train crew, we get issued with emergency, and non emergency numbers for BTP. In my experience though, if I have an incident on a train or at a station, the quickest way to get a response is to dial 999, rather than go through BTP control centre which is in Birmingham. That said though, I also have the local BTP office numbers programmed into my mobile, and if I have time I will use these to see if BTP are available locally.

Another point on this is that the BTP officers often cover a very large area, so may take some time to respond, for example an incident at Barnstaple would be covered by Exeter BTP (40ish miles away) and Paignton is covered by Plymouth BTP(25 ish? miles away) thats why 999 is usually your best bet.

Civilian police would probably get there sooner to arrest someone because there are just more of them, but I imagine BTP would be the best people to speak to if a message needs to get to the signaller because they will know what to do and will be able to do it even from Birmingham. 

civillian police also have all the network rail details and are by far the best bet they will make arrests etc then btp take over once available.

as said in emergency when there is potential for fatalities etc always use 999

Smithy is correct, the local civi police will have a direct number to the Duty NR Officer who has Mobile Operations Managers at his disposal to assist in securing a site etc.