Bad lighting, poor information, too few telephones and help points, and rubbish-strewn tracks were some of the findings of a Task Force from Soroptimist International Clubs in South East England, when they inspected over 60 stations and rolling stock in Kent, Surrey and Sussex. They were checking features that create risk and stress for passengers.

Some stations were impressively better than five years ago, but two thirds were not. Track litter and weeds were a great deal worse. New coaches were repeating serious design faults noted in 1997 such as making the communication cord difficult to reach. A survey of young people found that 80 % of those who had had a frightening experience subsequently used trains less.

The Task Force report Safe and Sure: A "quick wins"agenda for Britain's railways published in 2002 proposed 78 practical measures ranging from decent lighting and a telephone at every station to adoption of standard international symbols and colours for railway signs. Personal security should be a specific part of the Strategic Rail Authority leadership remit for safer and better railways, and other bodies responsibilities should be clarified. Railway companies should get together to offer a standard national product on security and information.

Following the launch

• Report presented at both Rail Passenger and British Transport Police Rail Security Conferences

• Members of the task force continue to attend high level meetings with Rail Personnel. e.g. The Strategic Rail Authority, Association of Train Operating Companies, Network Rail, Connex etc.

• Rail companies and Network Rail have formally adopted new performance standards for improving passenger security

• Pressure on Connex led to a review of their litter contracts, schoolchildren's behaviour policy and CCTV systems

• MPs for Eastbourne and Beckenham have tabled questions in the House. Other MPs are supportive

• Presentations have been made to London Chilterns and Midland Chase Regions

• Displays have been mounted at SIGBI Conference in Glasgow, UKPAC Study Day and clubs within the SE Region

In 2003 the Regional Project Safe and Sure won an award for Good Practice in the Programme area of Environment from the Federation Board. The award was presented by President Joan Smyth at the SIGBI Conference in Belfast. The picture, taken at a Regional Meeting, shows June Bridgman and members of her task force.