Overcrowding At Clapham Junction

EDM number 711 in 1996-97, proposed by Andrew Mackinlay on 19/03/1997.

That this House notes with grave concern the dangerous situation which occurred at Clapham Junction Station during the early evening of 13th March following the failure of train services out of Waterloo; notes that passengers were not given guidance on the screens nor by verbal announcements and that it appeared that very few railway staff, from any of the railway companies, were present; notes that this confusion resulted in many passengers boarding trains in hope, but with no certainty, of their ultimate destination; but, most worrying to the House, is the fact that the railway companies and the British Transport Police, did not respond to the urgent need to ensure the proper marshalling and direction of passengers or control the number of passengers over-flowing onto the platforms; considers that all the potential existed for a tragedy comparable with those at King's Cross and Hillsborough and the fact that such a tragedy did not occur is down to good fortune and the restraint of sorely pressed passengers; and calls on the Health and Safety Executive, the Minister and the railway watchdogs to ensure that the railways companies do not allow such dangerous circumstances to occur again.

This motion has been signed by a total of 10 MPs.