The Railway by-laws

The Railway By-laws are there to help everyone to travel easily and safely. This can only be achieved if all users take time to consider their actions and observe the by-laws.

They give guidance on passenger conduct and behaviour, equipment and safety, control of premises and fares. A copy of the pdf is available to download below.

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Railway By-laws

END OF THE LINE FOR ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

A crackdown on alcohol fuelled anti social behaviour at stations is being launched in the Rhondda Valley.

Arriva Trains Wales, British Transport Police, South Wales Police and the Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Safety Partnership have joined forces in an initiative aimed at raising awareness of the current railway bye laws.

Code of Conduct logo The partnership is using the bye laws in a bid to discourage the culture of loitering and drinking at stations, which often leads to more serious crime being committed against passengers, staff and railway property.

Railway bye-laws state that it is an offence for "any person travelling on the certain services to be in possession of intoxicating liquor or to attempt to enter any of the above trains with intoxicating liquor". It also states that "no person shall enter on the railway where such person is unfit to enter or remain on the railway as a result of being in a state of intoxication".

The initiative, which is an extension of the successful Operation Anvil, will run for a trial period of 6 months and target hot spot stations known for anti social behaviour. New signage is being introduced to highlight the bye-laws, which will prohibit the consumption of alcohol on any station or train between Pontypridd and Treherbert.

Ian Bullock, customer services director for Arriva Trains Wales, said: “While under the influence, individuals who take part in this activity are putting themselves in danger, creating an intimidating environment for passengers and staff, and harming the environment. This initiative is about setting new standards of acceptable behaviour and creating a safer environment for the travelling public.”

He continued: “We recognise that this will be a long term process. However this operation demonstrates our commitment to work with partners for the benefit of the communities we serve."

Since January 2007, a total of 670 offences have been dealt with by the Neighbourhood Policing Team who patrol the Treherbert. Aberdare and Merthyr routes from the Pontypridd base.

Speaking on behalf of the British Transport Police Neighbourhood Policing Team at Pontypridd, Sergeant Jaci Thomas said: “The message from British Transport Police is clear: we will not tolerate drink-related anti-social behaviour or any other crime on the rail network. This operation is about getting tough with those few irresponsible individuals who create an unwelcoming environment at stations and cause a nuisance for rail users and residents in neighbouring properties.”

She continued: “There is a clear link between alcohol and more serious incidents. We would ask parents and retailers to work with us to ensure youngsters are aware of the consequences of their actions. Stations will be proactively policed to discourage this activity and the law will be enforced when required.”

The partnership will be engaging with young people through school visits to help raise awareness of the dangers involved in drinking alcohol on stations.

Phil Bevan, head of community safety Rhondda Cynon Taff, said: "Our residents should be able to take advantage of the county's transport systems without fear of crime and disorder.

"Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Safety Partnership is all about agencies that can make a difference joining forces in order to reduce crime and disorder and reassure our residents.

"This initiative is a good example of that, where those agencies responsible for the delivery and the policing of the railway system work together to enforce the bye laws already in place and work to protect the public."

The 11 stations included in the initiative are

Treherbert
Ynyswen
Treorchy
Ton Pentre
Ystrad Rhondda
Llwynypia
Tonypandy
Dinas Rhondda
Porth
Trehafod
Pontypridd