Railings give drivers the feeling that the road belongs to them, so they go faster. Pedestrians have to walk further, or they start climbing over the barriers. I think the UK has been gradually removing these barriers for the last 20 years.
Interesting note ... a 2017 review of 70 London sites where Transport for London removed railings found serious and fatal pedestrian injuries fell 53% in the three years afterwards compared with the three years before.
Interesting note ... a 2017 review of 70 London sites where Transport for London removed railings found serious and fatal pedestrian injuries fell 53% in the three years afterwards compared with the three years before.
https://content.tfl.gov.uk/pedestrian-railings-removal-repor...