£2m station work in bid to fight crime

UP to £2 million is to be spent on CCTV and customer information systems at rail stations across the Lothians in a bid to tackle crime.

Rail chiefs announced today that 24-hour CCTV will be fitted to stations in the Lothians - including three in Edinburgh - to boost security for rail passengers.

Up to 230 cameras will be installed, while coverage at seven stations which already have CCTV will be improved. The Scottish Executive-funded project is due to be completed by the end of summer.

More than 31 help points, which will allow customers to speak directly to ScotRail staff for information or assistance, will also be fitted under the improvements.

Customer Information System boards will keep passengers informed about destinations and train times. Both the cameras and the help points will be monitored from ScotRail’s customer services centre at Dunfermline.

Stations at North Berwick, Drem, Longniddry, Prestonpans in East Lothian, along with Kingsknowe, Wester Hailes and Curriehill in Edinburgh will all be fitted with CCTV for the first time. North Berwick, Drem, Longniddry, Prestonpans, Wallyford and Musselburgh will receive CIS along with Kingsknowe, Wester Hailes, Curriehill, South Gyle and Dalmeny. In West Lothian, stations at Uphall, Livingston North, Bathgate, Kirknewton, Livingston South, West Calder and Fauldhouse will also get CIS.