Passengers have reacted angrily at a rail company's decision to remove platform and departure time details from information screens before a train is due to leave - to stop people running to catch it.

Govia Thameslink Railway, whose franchises include Thameslink and Southern, says it clears details of a train's departure time and its platform two minutes before it is due to leave. They said it is to stop passengers running to catch their train. The information has sometimes been removed before a train has even arrived at the station.

This 'health and safety' policy is also used by Network Rail and other train operators, and it is reportedly to stop people running dangerously through train stations and along platforms.