No play station, say Metro bosses

Clarissa Satchell

March 07, 2006

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BAD SIGN: The advert.

BAD SIGN: The advert. 1/2 Play Slideshow

METROLINK has been forced to cover up a poster on a tram platform reading: "Take a running jump from here".

The poster, advertising Playstation, was spotted by a railway worker and Metrolink was ordered to take it down for fear it could encourage people to leap on to the line.

Metrolink says the poster was the responsibility of JC Decaux, which is in charge of billboards at the station, and they were told to cover it up as soon it was realised what it said.

The poster, on the platform in the underground station at Piccadilly, was covered over with tape and was due to be taken down today.

A spokesman for Network Rail, which runs Piccadilly station but not the Metrolink platform, said: "An employee spotted it and said it was a bit inappropriate.

Safety

"The message goes completely against all our safety messages, particularly because Playstation is aimed at youngsters and we are constantly telling them not to trespass.

"We don't have this poster anywhere in the station itself because we are very careful about the safety messages we put out and wouldn't want anything to contradict that."

There have been several incidents where people have been hit by Metrolink trams in recent months.

Most recently, a 60-year-old woman needed hospital treatment after being hit by a tram in Piccadilly Gardens.

A spokesman for Metrolink said: "As soon as we were told about this we contacted JC Decaux. We told them the message was inappropriate for that location and they covered it up very quickly."

A spokesman for JC Decaux said: "We leave it to Metrolink and the Advertising Standards Agency to decide whether something is appropriate, that isn't our role."

Sony, which makes Playstation, said they did not want to comment.

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Squeaky Fromme, Manchester (07/03/2006 at 10:25)

Any moron who acts on the poster is better off dead. There is no excuse for stupidity

Anne, Manchester (07/03/2006 at 10:59)

Who is stupid enough to actually do what the signs say? And may I point out that those individuals who did get hit by the tram didn't get injured because of some sign. It was because they weren't paying attention to the warning signals.

Sue Henderson, Stockport (07/03/2006 at 11:29)

I would have expected that some of the other Playstation posters should be removed also - ie the ones which refer to sex and violence in their games. I hope that the "see your girlfriend's white bits", for instance, would not be meant for young children. I find the whole campaign disturbing and the games potentially dangerous in encouraging sexual voyeurism via computer game.

John, Manchester (07/03/2006 at 12:02)

Yeah Sue, Lets make sure all adverts are suitable for kids and we can all live in one big Creche. Get real!

Tamzin, Manchester (07/03/2006 at 12:08)

Are we all so stupid these days that we NEED someone telling us that it is dangerous to jump on train lines? Do these people in 'Authority' think that we, the public, are unable to think for ourselves? I think not!!! It's not the poster that puts people in danger......

Craig, Manchester (07/03/2006 at 12:38)

I saw one of these and was just about to take a running jump when I realised it was just an advert for a handheld gaming machine.

Fixit, Middleton (07/03/2006 at 12:56)

The Play Station (in all its guises) is marketed for the single modern 'lad', like wide screen plasma TV's, fast cars and suchlike. Its a designer electronic fashion icon. Fact, most of the games etc, emulate films which are adult oriented. If you want childrens games for your children, buy a Nintendo!!!!!!

S Walkman, Intensive care MRI (07/03/2006 at 14:00)

Unlike Craig, I didn't realise it was an advert until after they scraped me up off the track and the paramedics told me in the back of the ambulance.

Can any legal experts tell me who I need to sue for my compensation. Would it be Sony, Metrolink, JC Decaux or the advertising agency?

ortidog, manchester (07/03/2006 at 14:07)

It's PlayStation!! All one word, and with a capital P and capital S. Seriously... You're not down with the kids are you?

Cpl. Robert Fornell. Mrs (Deceased), Middlesex (07/03/2006 at 14:18)

Dear Sir or Madam,
I have been a tram station all my life and not once has anyone jumped off me after being instructed. I find your article highly misrepresentitive and insulting.

Dang Nang McChang, UK (07/03/2006 at 14:23)

This is just another example of the pathetic nannying state with political correctness gone mad in one hand and a brain the size of a very small pea in the other. In fact , they can take a running jump!

larkin, Manchester (07/03/2006 at 14:31)

Yesterday my train was late again/so I stood fed up in the rain/today it was cancelled it is a pain/so bored nothing to do so for a change/I will jump off the platform/just for a laugh/might be noticed by station staff.

B Eta - RoFerZ, Holland (07/03/2006 at 14:46)

Sue needs to get laid... :P

naz, city centre (07/03/2006 at 14:51)

just reading it from me pc makes me wanna go to the track n jump off hahaha, it must have powers

Geraldo Bingleton, Manchester (07/03/2006 at 15:02)

Whilst viewing the article on my PSP I entered a trance-like state, taking running jumps around the room. This continued until the battery went flat, luckily there were no trams in my house today. I stubbed my toe. Twice.

babs, manchester (07/03/2006 at 15:40)

At first I thought it was a safety ad for the moron's who do think playing around a moving tram or on the line is fun.

Colin W, Stockholm (07/03/2006 at 16:45)

Its like playing heavy rock backwards with demonic messages - all in the mind. I wonder if anyone will try and put a claim in ??

Chris, Woodford (07/03/2006 at 16:57)

Thanks for taking the signs down..I might not have been here tomorrow otherwise...what's more I'm still recovering from jumping 70 feet from my office window after drinking a can of Redbull.....I'm sure it says it gives you wings !!

C., Manchester (08/03/2006 at 04:51)

Did ortidog, manchester not notice the pun in the headline, then? :)

CHris, Manchester (08/03/2006 at 13:34)

It is actually JCDecaux's obligation to ensure that the adverts they place comply with the relevant Advertising Codes of Parctice. I think they have been very unprofessional in letting this advert be placed and then trying to blame Metrolink.

Weefz, London, UK (09/03/2006 at 14:12)

While I agree that the given excuse of "someone might actually do it" is a bit lame, I agree with Metrolink that it's an inappropriate place for an ad like this. I don't know about Manchester but in London people regularly commit suicide by jumping in front of Tube trains. Don't forget the remaining family members, or suicide witnesses. It's a rather harsh reminder. You wouldn't put up an ad saying "Test your rally-driving skills here" next to an accident black spot, would you?

Mister Smith, New York, New York (09/03/2006 at 14:23)

Thank you big brother for ensuring our personal safety against imbecile suggests. Long live big brother.

Dan, Manchester (10/03/2006 at 00:11)

All of your comments accepted. Whilst the advert may not sway someone's opinion to take fatal action, it does prove an upsetting reminder to those who have lost people very close to them in similar circumstances. It's a sad day when common sense and compassion do not overrule our nation's rights of free speech; but are taken into consideration contextually.

James, Sale (10/03/2006 at 09:51)

Thanks for keeping us safe Metrolink! I'd also like to that the people who decided 'DANGER - CONTENTS MAY BE HOT' on my cup of tea.

Idiots.

MK24ever, Portugal (10/03/2006 at 10:02)

In Portugal Sony put ads in Aeroports that say: "Give them Corn!" XD

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