Spiky spongey things at end of platforms?

[Chapeltom]

Hi all

I've recently noticed at the end of platforms at least on the Manchester to Liverpool Lime St via Warrington line some strange objects. They are square and have pointy bits on them and at the end of platforms. What are they?

Sorry for the awful description!

 

[causton]

They are to (try and) stop people venturing down onto the track... how effective they are, I don't know!

 

[mr_moo]

I assume this is the kind of thing you mean: http://www.rosehillrail.com/products/anti-trespass-panels/

They are quite poor as a deterrent IMHO - I think part of it is a visual deterrent rather than a physical one, but that's just guessing.

When I'm accessing the track, admittedly wearing my work boots, I often walk over these rather than unlock the access gate - It's a lot easier!

The older wooden slats were a lot harder to walk over and were, again, purely IMHO, a better solution.

I suppose if you were wearing trainers, as most trespassers would be likely to be, then they would be a lot more effective and would be quite uncomfortable to walk over.

 

[WatcherZero]

Its called Pedestrian Deterrent Paving, you will see it on some traffic islands too (pictured below). Its supposed to look so difficult to walk on that a person will subconciously decide not to try and use it as a short cut, its used by urban planners to try and stop people using dangerous routes where you cant physically obstruct them.

 

[michael769]

I had always presumed that they were, in part, aimed at preventing pets wandering onto the line.

 

[JohnB57]

I've recently noticed at the end of platforms at least on the Manchester to Liverpool Lime St via Warrington line some strange objects. They are square and have pointy bits on them and at the end of platforms. What are they?

Train spotters.

 

[Zoidberg]

Train spotters.

Oh, you!