Platforms at 15 stations across south east London lack a basic measure which keeps blind people safe, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.

A report published last week found that tactile safety strips, which indicate the platform edge, could have prevented the death of Cleveland Gervais, 53, a visually impaired man who died after falling onto the tracks at Eden Park station last year.

A FoI request by the London Liberal Democrats found that 14 others stations in south east London have platforms without tactile paving, including busy hubs such as Catford and Woolwich Dockyard.

Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, said: “In 2021 it is staggering that one third of platforms around the country lack tactile paving, a basic safety measure, simply because it is only installed when there are major station renovations.

“Tactile paving on train platforms is not an optional extra, but instead a vital safety measure.

“Network Rail needs to reach 100 per cent provision of tactile paving far sooner than 2029. We cannot afford to wait seven years for such a basic safety feature to exist at every train station.

“A clear timetable for safety improvements must be brought forward, starting with immediate action at island platforms, stations which only have partial tactile paving on their platforms and unstaffed stations.”

“Today’s report is absolutely right in highlighting that it does not make sense to continue waiting until platforms are refurbished to finally install tactile paving. Safety improvements should not be held up any longer.”

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) report found that Mr Gervais was probably unaware he was close to the edge when he fell from the platform at Eden Park station on February 26 last year.

It recommended that tactile strips should be installed on railway station platform edges at high-risk locations.

Network Rail plans to install tactile paving on all platforms by 2029. Stations which have major renovations before then would see them installed sooner.

The FoI found that other major stations across the capital, including Charing Cross, Liverpool Street and London Victoria, lack the basic safety measure.

Here is a full list of the south east London stations highlighted:

Abbey Wood - Platform 1 and 2 no tactiles

Barneshurst - Platform 2

Bromley North - Platforms 1 and 2 no tactiles

Catford - Platforms 1 and 2 no tactiles (n.b. this station is on the Hayes line – same line as Eden Park)

Crofton Park - Platform 2 no tactiles

Deptford - Platform 1 and 2 no tactiles

Eden Park - Platform 1 and 2 no tacitles

Elmers End - Platform 1 no tacitles

Eltham - Platform 1 and 2 only have 14% provision

Erith Station - Platform 1 no tactiles

Kidbrooke - Platforms 1 and 2 no tactiles

Maze Hill - Platforms 1 and 2 no tactiles

Slade Green - Platforms 1 and 2 no tactiles

West Wickham - Platform 1 and 2 no tactiles

Woolwich Dockyard - Platform 1, Face 1 no tactiles