New CCTV cameras are to be installed at railway stations at Alsager, Belper, Matlock Bath and Willington after train operating company East Midlands Railway (EMR) agreed a £123,000 investment into the project.
The scheme will see the new cameras installed by Spring 2022, helping to improve the station environment.
EMR worked closely with the local communities to inform the project, leveraging the expertise of station adoption teams and local community groups to identify areas at each station which require camera coverage – helping to address any anti-social behaviour, vandalism and graffiti, as well as providing reassurance to customers.
The investment is part of EMR’s Stations Social and Commercial Development Plan which allows station adoption teams and local community groups to highlight, promote and suggest improvements to stations.
At Willington station, £15,000 in funding was contributed by CrossCountry – the train operator serving the station.
Councillor Trevor Ainsworth, Chair of the Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership, said: “It is important to take rail users’ security very seriously, so I am pleased to see this project completed which should help safeguard them and their possessions, while they use the stations.
"The message is clear. If you are intending to commit a crime at a railway station, the CCTV will provide very clear footage that will help to identify and prosecute you.
“Hopefully, this additional security will provide passengers with more confidence using the stations and complement the efforts of our station adoption groups, who take great pride to make their stations welcoming and attractive environments for both local residents and visitors to the area.”
Lisa Angus, Transition and Projects Director at East Midlands Railway, added: “We work closely with our station adoption teams and local people across our network to fully understand the issues at their local station and address areas of concerns.
"Many of these stations are gateways to communities and quite rightly people are very proud of their appearance.
“We hope these new CCTV cameras will help to cut down anti-social behaviour, graffiti and vandalism and help customers feel reassured when they use the station.”
