Alcohol could be banned on all UK trains

The sale and consumption of alcohol could be banned on UK trains as part of a bid to combat railway deaths.

The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) – a group that advises UK rail operators – has recommended the measure after discovering that “intoxication” was a factor in 21 of 32 passenger fatalities over the past decade.

According to a new report by the RSSB, almost half of passenger deaths occurred when boarding or alighting trains.

A similar measure was introduced on London Underground and buses in 2008 as London mayor Boris Johnson aimed to reduce crime.

RSSB will now produce a “formalised agreement” for Network Rail, British Transport Police and station staff on managing intoxicated passengers.

“This agreement will be supported by investigation into additional legislation and policy, for example banning the sale and consumption of alcohol on trains, similar to TfL (Transport for London),” the RSSB report reads.

Alcohol has been permitted and served on trains for 180 years.

Opponents to RSSB’s proposals claim that many drunken passengers have “pre-loaded” in pubs and bars beforehand, so banning alcohol on-board trains will not be effective.

Critics also claim that the measure could unfairly penalise passengers who consume alcohol sensibly.

Bruce Williamson, of campaign group Railfuture, told the London Evening Standard that the measure appeared “a bit drastic”.

“There must be a more sensible solution than banning alcohol. It seems like a blunderbuss approach,” he said.

“It’s right that they are addressing the issue but we also need to consider the possibility that someone turns up [at the station] drunk.”