Kent & Sussex Security Ltd.
Case Study: Kent & Sussex Security let the Train take the Strain.
Kent & Sussex Security (KSS) based in Ashford have been involved for some time with Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway (RH&DR) as an electronic security supplier. When RH&DR urgently required the installation of CCTV camera to promote safety at their Burmarsh Road crossing, it was naturally KSS to whom they turned.
There had been some unfortunate incidents in which motorists failed to show the wonderful small trains of the RH&DR due respect, resulting in serious cause for concern. Unlike full scale railways, there are no barriers on the railway and motorists are alerted to oncoming trains by means of automatic lights which turn to red until the train has passed, when they automatically give the go ahead once again. Unfortunately there have been a number of near misses in the past when motorists have run the lights and sadly one of the engine drivers was killed at the Burmarsh Road crossing in August 2003.
It was decided by KSS, in consultation with RH&DR, that CCTV would be the way to improve safety. KSS suggested a
purpose-made CCTV column at the side of the road, on which was mounted a pair of CCTV cameras, and an infra red lamp. The
complete assembly, reinforced by warning signs, provides an imposing and successful deterrent to law breaking drivers. To
further add to the value, one camera is a specialised ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) camera, able to capture vehicle
licence plates in any lighting conditions. The other camera is a high quality colour camera, which captures the vehicle
description and records the condition of the traffic light. Information harvested is recorded by a digital recorder in the base
of the cabinet, triggered by the traffic light system which ensures that the system records only when the lights are red.
Geoff Hilton, Managing director KSS comments "Drivers beware! When a train driver now reports a "near miss" violation, the railway staff is able to provide a high quality digital recording of the incident. This will clearly indicate the number plate and description of the vehicle, together with the condition of the traffic light. This type of evidence gives the police a very strong case to prosecute. When all is said and done, RH&DR is a part of the heritage of Kent, providing fun for people of all ages. Those who wish to travel on the railway for pleasure and those who give their time to work on the railway, out of a passion for this wonderful attraction, deserve to be able to do so safe in the knowledge that they are protected from the recklessness of bad drivers."
"We are extremely pleased with the manner in which Kent & Sussex Security went about helping us solve the problem of motorists who are too impatient to wait for the trains to cross. With the use of these CCTV’s there can be no argument as to events, since the recordings are clear and accurate." Comments Danny Martin, General Manager of Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. "RH&DR depends greatly on the generosity of its supporters, not only in terms of money but also as we could not operate without all the staff whom give their time to work on the railway. We have a duty of care to our passengers, our staff and our investors and by the use of CCTV we can eliminate some of the problems that perhaps are brought about by the more gentle age of steam having to survive alongside the modern day hustle and bustle. We have a distance of thirteen and a half miles of track to take care of, and KSS have enabled us to ensure that we are doing so with state of the art equipment."
