TRANSPORT Minister Andrew Jones, MP has helped launch the first retail ‘Smart Wall’ for rail customers in the UK.

The Smart Wall at Harrogate railway station features state of the art facial detection technology to sense when a customer is approaching and it will automatically move interactive ticket touchscreens up or down so that the screen is level with the customer’s eye level when using it.

Large video screens on either side of the wall will give customers information on trains, the latest on social media, news headlines, weather and local area information

A six figure sum has been invested by rail operator Northern in the technology, supplied by its ticketing partner Parkeon.

Mr Jones said: “This is exactly the kind of innovation that the rail industry should be delivering – cutting edge facilities for customers.”

Richard Allan, commercial director at Northern Rail, said: “The Smart Wall is a fantastic innovation for our customers to make it quicker and easier to travel around the rail network.

“This is just one part of our drive to modernise the way we sell to our customers. The Wall is the centrepiece of the new-look Harrogate station and it will be a great focal point for commuters and visitors arriving in the town.”