Kissing banned in UK railway station

Couples have been banned from romantic farewells and passionate embraces in a UK railway station. The authority has put up a “no-kissing” sign at the drop off and taxi zones, saying it holds up commuters.

A "no-kissing" sign has been unveiled at the Warrington Bank Quay Station, UK in a bid to cut the delays caused to the daily passengers. The signs, showing two silhouettes within a circle and red line through them, have been placed at the drop-off and taxi zones. Station authority has advised the passengers to use the designated areas for kissing or pay to park their cars nearby. This is believed to be the first railway station in the country which took such a step to put up “no-kissing” sign. A spokesman from Virgin Rails, the company which operates the station, said it is not their plan to bar passengers from kissing in the station. They just want to help people to move quickly. He said:

“We have put the sign up at the drop off point because it is not a very big area and it often gets busy with lots of traffic. The sign is a lighthearted way of getting people to move on quickly."

The spokesman added:

"If people wish to spend a little more time with their loved ones before they leave, then they should park in the short-stay car park nearby."

The no-kissing sign has been installed as a part of a 1 million refurbishment of the station which is currently under way. Chief executive of the Warrington Chambers of Commerce, Colin Daniels said, "It was all a bit of fun. But now Virgin Trains have agreed to put them up as part of the refurbishment." However, it seems passengers are not happy with this ban. Ruth Sargeant, 38, who uses the station to travel to Manchester, said:

"It's ridiculous. I don't see the point of having a no-kissing area, surely people are entitled to say their goodbyes."

And Tom Hall, 25, another commuter, said:

"It's daft. What are they going to do if they catch couples kissing, fine them?"

The Virgin spokesman said, "We are trying to tell people not to wait too long in the drop-off, but we don't mind people waiting there for a short time." When asked how the no-kissing rule would be enforced, he added: "We will apply this sensibly."