Tyne and Wear Metro, a warning to photographers

Anyone visiting the area needs to be aware of this email I recieved from the customer service department a few days ago

As per Metro policy, permission MUST be obtained to film or take photographs on Metro. As such anyone who tries to film or take photographs without prior consent will, if observed, be asked to leave and could risk prosecution.

application to take photographs on the network apparently must be submitted two weeks in advance and this does not gaurantee that you will be allowed to do so, The Tyne and Wear Metro is a part private/public system paid for by the tax payer, the company claim this guidance as they term it, is neccessary because of health and safety??????????????

 

Interested to learn what they would prosecute you for.

 

Yes that one got me, my understanding is that its perfectly legal to take photographs in areas of public access in this country and no bylaw exists which prevents photography on railway stations, its not well advertised and doesnt seem appear in the terms and conditions, its unfortunate that these people don`t take the lead from the big railways. It may be interesting to run this one past the Rail Regulator, certainly not the best policy to enhance tourism in the area.

ORR Office
Customer Correspondence Team
Office of Rail Regulation
One Kemble Street
London
WC2B 4AN

Email: contact.cct@orr.gsi.gov.uk

Tel: 020 7282 2018
020 7282 3925
020 7282 3951
020 7282 3941
020 7282 3857
(please dial any of these numbers)

Fax: 020 7282 2043

 

I'd love to see them try and enforce this on a group of tourists, especially if non English speaking. Nobody who works for the Metro will have power of arrest, none will have the right to your name and other personal info if you don't wish to give it. They can involve the BTP of course but I suspect they have bigger fish to fry.

 

I don`t think that option is open to them, the BTP have a guidance for railway enthusiasts and photographer which clearly states that they welcome us and realise our contribution in that we are extra eyes and ears for security and health and safety when something goes wrong, network rail also has similar guidance, we also make a significant financial contribution as well of course,

> Passengers > Advice and information > Rail Enthusiasts

 

When you say 'a few days ago', was the date April 1st, perhaps?

 

Many thanks for your input, however, this concerns a semi-privatised public transport system funded by the tax payer and regulated by ORR apparently the legalities are slightly different in relation to this criteria and of course you can only be prosecuted for breaking the law, this is a pubic transport system and not a sensitive military installation. Apparently you can travel on the network with a camera around your neck but risk prosecution if you click the shutter release without two weeks prior notice in writing providing this is granted, something sounds amiss here. I was quite surprised by the content of the email I recieved from these people and thought it wise to warn others with a similar interest in rail photography, as this is something I`ve not come across in the UK before.

I`ll check the date of the email to make sure its not dated April the first haha

 

A quick search on their website produced: http://www.nexusdiscussion.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=353&p=1083&hilit=photographs#p1083

So not new.

 

They're going to have fun enforcing this during the Olympics, since St James' Park is one of the Olympic Football venues. I've travelled enough times on the Metro without a ticket, I can't see them rolling out TTI's who can also tell people where they can and can't take photographs. I'd love to see a geordie or mackem TTI trying to explain this to a football fan from the other side of the world though. Or will they make themselves seem the biggest killjoys ever and plaster the system with posters banning photography.

 

It was certainly new to me. When we allowed these private companies to be custodians of our rail network we also set up the Office for Rail Regulators to make sure they were adhearing to all rail legislation, health and safety and operating within the public interest, we also set up consultative and advisory groups to help mold policy. The Tyne and Wear Metro network is part privatised Metro is publicly owned, receiving funding from council tax payers and government, Nexus, which owns and manages Metro. I would not think it was in the public interest to threaten visitors with prosecution for taking photographs of trains, if indeed such a law exists, indeed the British Transport Police appear to be unaware of such a law.

 

There are so many little hitlers around these days.

 

It gets better, I found this that the Newcastle Evening Chronicle published in February

Newcastle Evening Chronicle
Updated 6:54am 10 February 2012:
Metro runs favourite places photo competition
by Stephen Cape, Evening Chronicle
FAVOURITE spots from around the Metro system are caught on camera in a competition.
The Tyne and Wear transport system has launched a photo competition for passengers to take pictures of their favourite destinations.
Already 116 snaps have been up-loaded on to Metro’s Facebook page, including St Mary’s Lighthouse at Whitley Bay, Newcastle Quayside, Tynemouth beach, the Sage, and a scene in Sunderland.People power will make the final choice on the best photographs as visitors to the website can pick their favourite snap before the closing date on Thursday. The result will be announced the following day.
No-one, not even Metro staff, will be able to tell which pictures are the most popular until the competition closes.
Metro bosses plan to turn the winning picture and those that came close, into a large wall collage which will decorate a station on the Metro system. But it has not been decided which station will carry the colourful display
Customer services director Sharon Kelly said: “It has been absolutely stunning. The photos will create a lovely piece of public art, creating a very visual and creative image of why North East people enjoy using the Metro to get from A to B.
“You never know, the next David Bailey could be found as a result of this competition.”
Photographers must be over 13 and should use their judgment to snap the most striking photo.
Caroline Holmes is the digital marketing officer for DB Regio the Metro train operators: She said: “It is very simple to upload the pictures and we have advised people to only send higher resolution photos to the website.”
To enter visit Tyne and Wear Metro page, upload their favourite photos and keep an eye out to see the publics choice.


http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-ea ... -30252465/

and in March 2012 they threaten me with prosecution for taking photographs?

Needless to say I`ve written to the ORR, Transport Minister and their local press

 

Nothing is going to change by banging on about it here. It would be more useful to suggest locations where is is possible to photograph Metro trains without entering Metro property, although I have no interest in doing so myself.

 

Actually banging on?, ( I presume you mean publicising here) about these issues does change things Garry, I changed ban on photography on another PTE by doing this same sort of thing, I`ve also reported this issue to the ORR, local press and Secretary of State, if you have no interest the Metro fine, then just sit back and do nothing, no problem, some of us do have an interest though. The purpose of the original post was to warn others of this issues as it appears to be poorly advertised, and we get the restictions we deserve of course, if we don`t speak up about them, thats suppose to be how democracy and free speech operates, or do you think I should not have brought this issue up with site members who have similar interests or would it be better for some young enthusiast to be hassled by some jobsworth, after spending his pocket money accessing the network, and being approached about something he is unaware of?

It could of course be that those who have designed this guidance have no understanding of the issues and alienation/restrictions and bad will they are potentially causing. Interestingly, Nexus are the only operator in the UK who have applied this type of guidance, which in itself speaks volumes.

If, as you suggest, it would be useful to suggest locations where is is possible to photograph Metro trains without entering Metro property, then please do so Garry, in the interim this information would be most welcomed





Kind regards

Nick

 

It seems to be gross hypocrisy to launch a photo competition whilst at the same time enforcing anti-photography guidelines towards one or more members of the public. I hope that you win against this ridiculous state of affairs, shredder1, and I think that you will.

 

Thanks for your support Jamie, it does appear to be a ridiculous situation and at the end of the day we as rail enthusiasts support these people, both financially and as part of our interests, we all have health and safety concerns and even the BTP and Network Rail recognised that enthusiasts are extra eyes and ears, for security when thing potentially go wrong and we are even encouraged to report any problems, which many of us willingly do of course.

 

My message was not aimed at any specific poster. The point was that once a problem has been stated there is little value in repeating it to the same audience. Taking up the issue in a well reasoned manner with those who may be able to change the situation is a different matter and I have made no comment on this. As for locations, I simply suggested that this information would be useful if someone could provide it. Failing this, why not identify potential locations by taking a ride on the system? I suggest starting with the Sunderland route, which I believe operates over Network Rail tracks between Pelaw and Sunderland Central. Away from stations, there appears to be some good vantage points across open land away, plus the public level crossing at East Boldon.

 

Many thanks for your information, and indeed your input Garry, this is indeed very helpful as I don`t reside in the area and just wished to visit as a tourist and rail enthusiasts, its many years since I last visited the region, circa the mid 80`s, so I expect locations have changed over the years and I have little knowledge of these. The channels you have mentioned are underway of course, which I have mentioned in earlier posts, I`m not sure what I have repeated, but apologies if I have. However, the subject is being debated and discussed, which I thought what what these website were about, communicating with like minded members who have similar interests and in a civil manner, or am I missing something here?

Cheers

Nick

 

As a postscript to my previous posting, whilst I have no great interest in the Metro system, I would be quite interested in photographing one of the newly refurbished units when they finally appear in regular service - but the hassle may outweigh the value of doing so. I agree that the restrictions do appear heavy handed.