Ticket barriers to be installed at Hertford East

Ticket barriers are to be installed on the concourse at Hertford East station to combat fare evasion.

New ticket gates will be installed at stations and platforms across England, targeting fare dodger hot spots to crack down on deliberate ticketless travel.

An announcement by the government says that "fare evasion puts up to £400 million of rail revenue at risk each year and every pound lost to fare dodging is one that can't be spent on improving services - whether maintaining the network, upgrading carriages, or improving wifi. These new gates will help protect revenue and put it back to work where it belongs: delivering better journeys for passengers."

The idea of a gateline at Hertford East is not new, with barriers first proposed back in 2019. Planning permission in the form of Listed Building Consent was granted in December 2019, but with a three year limit, therefore further permission would be required from East Herts Council.

Fare evasion is not a victimless crime – it undermines confidence in the railway and means passengers lose out on millions in revenue, which should be invested to improve services for everyone.

By stopping fare dodgers before they reach the platform, we’re protecting taxpayer cash, supporting investment in the network and ensuring the railway works better for the millions of passengers who do the right thing every day by paying their way.

As we deliver significant reform across our railways in the lead-up to Great British Railways, we are creating a truly joined-up railway, which is more accountable and better equipped to deliver the reliable, modern railway passengers deserve, to create jobs, growth and homes.

:: Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy