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Safety

In a recent survey Balham railway station was named 6^th out of 18 southern railway stations with high crime figures. In the same survey Balham Tube station was placed 4^th. This highlights a big problem that needs the full support of all those who can make a difference. I have since put these figures to the Managing Director of Southern Trains who manage Balham railway station and pressed for improvements. Following my representations with them I have been assured that Southern Trains fully recognise the importance of safety and security at Balham and will ensure a number of improvements including:

• Increases in gate-line staff coverage further into the evening
• Two security guards to undertake roving checks at Balham station from 1500 until the last service at night
• High CCTV coverage
• High quality lighting – which will not only improve the sense of security, but will aid the effectiveness of CCTV.
• Converting the coffee shop and waiting area into one larger area to improve visibility and security on the platforms

I have been liaising with the local police to ensure better co-ordination to improve safety at Balham station. Recently, as part of ‘Operation Elliot’ you may have seen the police with metal detectors and sniffer dogs around the station. They will be back again periodically with high visibility equipment to ensure that people are travelling safely. I look forward to the initiatives they undertake to tackle anti-social behaviour, fear of travelling and crimes within the station. I will be meeting with the new Managing Director of Southern Trains soon and will be asking him for a timetable of these improvements.

Pre-pay Oysters

Balham station will also be the first station in Southern London later this year to introduce a trial of using pre-pay Oyster cards between Balham station and Victoria station. Southern Railways, who manage Balham station, are currently working with software and hardware suppliers to introduce the scheme as soon as possible. This is an extremely busy line and will benefit thousands of local commuters.

Platform and Train Access

I have campaigned successfully to secure funding from the Government's 'Access for All Campaign' for Balham to be installed with a lift. This will have a huge positive impact for local people who are unable to use Balham overground station due to limited mobility. The lift will take passengers with disabilities and those with buggies and heavy luggage from the ticket office to the platforms. Work started on the lift in November 2007 and will be completed shortly.

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Above: Sadiq supporting the London wide campaign for safer stations. More information here.