Transport secretary faces anger over flippant remarks on suicides

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Telegraph:

The Transport Secretary is facing criticism over a "flippant" remark about people committing suicide by jumping in front of trains.

In an interview, Philip Hammond suggested that the train service he used from Surrey to London was "pretty reliable, unless somebody jumps off the platform at Wimbledon, which happens with monotonous regularity."
His remarks were condemned as insensitive by mental health professionals. There are around 200 suicides a year on the railways.
Dr Peter Byrne, from The Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: "There was very little mention of mental health in the Government spending review and it is a pity to hear these kinds of views come through in such ill-considered remarks. There is nothing inconsiderate or amusing about people taking their own lives."
Labour MP^▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post - a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London, depending on context) Khalid Mahmood said: "These comments are absolutely disgraceful. Mr Hammond should apologise immediately to anyone who has ever been affected by the tragic events of a suicide for his callous flippancy."
Earlier this year Network Rail announced a ^5 million five-year plan in conjunction with the Samaritans to reduce the number of suicides, including posters with helpline contact details at key stations around the country.
They also called for responsible and sensitive attitudes towards the issue.
Suicides cost Network Rail an estimated ^15 million in compensation payments to train operators because of delays.
A spokeswoman for Network Rail said last night: "We are working very closely with the Samaritans to reduce suicides on the network. They are a tragedy for those involved. From a passenger and business perspective they are incredibly disruptive. I think you had better ask Mr Hammond about whether or not his remarks were appropriate."

[standclearplease]

As untactful as it may be, it is invariably true.

[inspector_blakey]

You might think so, but that doesn't mean that everyoneelse does, or that it's an appropriate thing for the Secretary of State for Transport to say. Hammond seems to be creating a bit of a track record for himself in terms of foolish and ill-thought-out comments about the railways in particular, with one shining example being the assertion to Christiam Wolmar that he was unsure why trains should have priority over road traffic at level crossings even when they're only two cars long.

http://railwayeye.blogspot.com/2010/06/why-new-themeslink-fleet-is-essential.html

[Bob_Blakey]

...not to mention the "I don't know why we have advanced cycle stop lines, cars are faster than bikes" (or words to that effect) statement.

[JayMac]

I don't know why we have those bicycle stop lines either. Despite it being illegal for a motorised vehicle to pass the first white line when a traffic signal is at red they appear to be universally ignored by motorists.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Same with yellow box junctions: the one at the foot of the Bristol Temple Meads station incline is a classic for incidents of road rage, with taxi and airport bus drivers competing for a path against A4/A37 motorists ...