Due to high levels of pedestrian foot flow, there is a desire to make railway stations as accessible as possible to visitors and to maintain a welcoming atmosphere. Perimeter security and access control measures do not aim to create a 'fortress mentality' or prohibit the effective flow of pedestrians in and out of an area.
There is a balance to be achieved where those responsible for security are comfortable that there are robust, protective security measures available to mitigate against the threat of terrorism or accidental impact. With the high volume of traffic travelling in and around a railway station on a daily basis. There is also a danger of accidental vehicle impact harming the building or pedestrians.
Counter-Terrorism measures need to stop vehicles from entering an area or from penetrating a perimeter laden with an explosive device. It is also vital to maintain the flow of visitors and workers in and out of a site; bollards achieve this ensuring a site remains protected yet pedestrian permeable.
For some new railway station builds counter-terrorism measures are written into planning permission for the construction of new infrastructure. The need for counter-terrorism measures also extends to retrofit security. Key stakeholders have a responsibility for the security and safety of their customers and staff.