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Tuesday 29 Sep 2015

Budding engineers join Network Rail volunteers to build bridges

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Newport primary school children got the chance to be engineers for a day as they learned how to construct a bridge and even got the chance to walk across the structure they had built.

Staff from Network Rail and other volunteers from engineering companies across South Wales were on hand to help the children take on different roles as they constructed the bridge and teach them a little about civil engineering during the Bridge to Schools event in Tredegar House, Newport.

Louise Bungay, asset engineer for Network Rail Wales, said: “I love my job and it is great to show children how exciting a career in engineering can be, especially with all the engineering work coming to Newport as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan.

“By building a bridge together, the children learned about civil engineering and team work.

“I was really impressed with them and I think we may have seen some of the engineering stars of the future.”

The children donned high visibility jackets, hard hats, gloves and safety glasses to carry out the work.

As part of the session, Network Rail workers talked to the children about railway safety, including how to use level crossings safely and the impact of electrification.

Keith Jones, Director at ICE Wales Cymru, said: “I am pleased to see the engagement with civil engineering amongst the pupils today at Tredegar House, Newport. It is a great opportunity for all to learn that Civil Engineers plan, design and build the infrastructure of the country, and for the children to have fun building the bridge.”

The event was organised by Newport West Communities First with help from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Wales Cymru, Network Rail and the National Trust. Children from Year 5 and 6 of Duffryn, Maesglas, and Gaer Junior Schools took part on Wednesday 23 September and Thursday 24 September.