| “ | Your safety is very important to us. We have 24 hour CCTV recording in operation. Please do not leave your luggage unattended; luggage left unattended may be removed without warning, or destroyed or damaged by security services. If you see something that doesn't look right speak to staff or text British Transport police on 61016. We'll sort it! See it, say it, sorted! Whilst waiting for your train please stand behind the yellow line. Thank you!" | ” |
— An Emma Hignett security announcement for Elizabeth line stations. | ||
Emma Hignett is an automated announcer on the British railway network, and a voice for the Amey and Siemens systems and formerly the Thales system. Currently, Emma does announcements on most London Overground stations as well as on their trains. Away from the railways, she is a voice on London buses, including the London riverbus. Because of this, she is popularly known as the 'Voice of London's Buses'. Emma is also the voice on the Class 345s on the Elizabeth line and does new recordings on the DLR B90/B92/B2K and B07 fleet such as "Exit for London Cable Car and City Hall".
Emma has been replaced by Atos Anne at London Overground stations on the East London, Gospel Oak to Barking, North London and Watford DC lines during 2020-2024 and will be replaced by Atos Anne at other London Overground stations on the North London and Watford DC lines in the near future. Emma also does security announcement (quote above) for Elizabeth line (Crossrail) stations. Emma also announced Thameslink services at Norwood Junction. Only Woman announced "City Thameslink".
Kew Gardens, Gunnersbury, Queens Park, Kensal Green and stations between Harlesden and Harrow & Wealdstone still have Emma and will switch to Atos Anne in 2024.
Emma has also provided the voice of some bus operators outside of London such as Go North East, East Yorkshire and Midland Classic.
The real-life Emma Hignett is a professional voice-over artist and does all the recordings in her studio. She has provided voice-overs for Samsung, Amazon Fire, Virgin Money and many other companies and products. Emma started off as a television and radio presenter, doing the job for 13 years. Emma also made an appearance in 2001 as a weather presenter for HTV which can be found here.
Since 6 December 2021, she is the at-station announcer in the Roblox game Stepford County Railway, the announcements modelled on the London Overground at-station announcements that she announces in real life.