Better security, more information for Yate station

Sue Walker and Ruth Davis try out the new information help point

Yate rail campaigners have welcomed the news that CCTV cameras are to be installed at the town's station. The Friends of Yate Station were told at a meeting on Monday that eight cameras will be installed to increase security at the site, which has suffered repeated vandalism.

Lib Dem councillor Sue Walker, who chairs the group said, “I'd like to thank everyone who has worked to make this happen. Yate rail users were left out in the wet and cold this winter because the shelters were damaged, which shows how a few mindless vandals can make waiting for a train a misery for everyone. I hope criminals will think twice when these cameras are in place."

She added, "The station has been without a ticket machine for some time thanks to vandalism. First Great Western said they wouldn't replace it while there were no CCTV cameras on site. I hope once there are that they will think again."

Meanwhile, a new station information machine is now in action. It has a real-time information display, and you just have to press a button to talk to the information line. Sue Walker said "It's great. We could have done with it last week when the train to Cardiff didn't come - the Friends of Yate Station have been trying to get this for more than two years"