Dangerous and seedy: Welcome to Perth Railway Station

Aug 22 2008 by Jenny Wood, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

CRUMBLING Perth railway station is becoming a safety hazard to passengers and staff, a rail worker has claimed.

“If the general public knew what was going on behind the scenes at Perth Station they would be shocked,” the man told the PA.

The rail worker has laid bare the shocking reality that unless safety and maintenance is tightened up, it could be a matter of time before a horrendous accident takes place at the Fair City station.

“And the shocking reality is nothing is happening and the building is being left to rot,” the man hit out.

A far cry from its Victorian hey day, the worker painted a perilous picture of the state of the Perth station:

“The roof is rotting and, the way it is going, it is only a matter of time before part of the building or roof falls down.

“Water streams in through the roof, it’s like Niagara Falls at times, leaving puddles on the platform. Someone could quite easily slip and fall onto the rails.

“We’re continually reporting faults and safety concerns but nothing seems to be getting done,” the exasperated employee added.

The worker, who didn’t want to be named for fear of reprisal from rail bosses, decided to go public about the dangers at Perth station.

“We try and make the station as respectable and safe as we can but lack of investment in maintenance means it is a losing battle and becoming a health and safety nightmare,” he claimed.

A disgruntled Perth rail passenger we spoke to confirmed: “The roof does leak like a sieve over some of the platforms and you often see people sloshing through puddles at the footbridges.

“It is a danger,” he added, “some parts are being left to fall into rack and ruin.”

Network Rail admitted part of the station’s roof is to be replaced within months, but is adamant the building is safe.

A spokesman for the company responsible for Britain’s rail infrastructure told the PA: “The station roof has been inspected within the last 12 months and is structurally sound.

“Improvements are scheduled to be made to sections of the roof covering the main entrance and ticket office areas and these works will take place within this financial year.”

Transport Scotland recently recommended Perth be included among the raft of railway stations in line for improvement.

The news was warmly welcomed by local politician Roseanna Cunningham who, adding her weight to the call for work to be carried out at the local rail hub, said yesterday: “Perth station has been crying out for regeneration and investment for many years.”

She continued: “I have been making representations for some time now about the sorry state of Perth train station.

“As someone very familiar with this station, I am well aware that what should be a welcoming gateway to the Fair City has a run-down, seedy feel to it,” criticised the MSP for Perth.