YELLOW lines have been painted along every platform at York railway station to help staff keep passengers away from the trackside when trains are arriving.

Train operator East Coast, which is responsible for the station, said the lines set clear and safe boundaries for passengers. A spokesman said: “We make regular announcements to ensure everyone knows what it is and why it’s there.”

He said following a successful trial on platform 5, the lines had now been added to all platforms.

Meanwhile, the firm has also looked into the possibility of issuing yellow high-visibility vests to platform staff but decided they would be unsuitable, as they are also worn by British Transport Police officers, building contractors and others, such as cyclists.

The spokesman said this would have raised the risk of such people being confused with platform staff despatching trains.

“In line with our commitment to the highest possible safety standards, at busier times, such as following events in the city, magenta vests are already used by our customer service teams are available to make sure staff despatching trains can be clearly seen.”

He said East Coast placed the highest importance on safety at all times, including following events in the city, such as race days.

“Additional safety measures at York station at these times include staffed entry and exit points to platforms, with staff specifically trained to ensure that no-one presenting a safety risk to themselves or others due to the influence of alcohol is admitted,” he said.

“Extra staff are also on duty on the station at these times, supported by the British Transport Police, to maintain a high level of vigilance.”

According to CIRAS, a confidential whistleblowers’ website, some train crew raised concerns that platform staff helping with dispatch were not always visible at the station due to dark clothing, but East Coast said no such concerns had been raised via managers or health and safety representatives, nor during the last three-yearly assessment.