Media centre

Tuesday 5 Jun 2007

ALLOA SET TO GET THE NO MESSIN’! MESSAGE

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Teenagers in Alloa will have the chance to participate in more than 20 sports, dance and music activities – including football training by Rangers and Celtic coaches – as part of No Messin’ Live! 2007, a two-day event arranged by Network Rail. The free event, at Tulligarth Community Centre on 4 and 5 July, aims to raise awareness of railway safety among young people through engaging and interesting activities. A huge range of activities are planned, including: athletics, boxing, bungee running, a climbing wall, cricket, DJ workshop, professional football coaching, football freestyling, gaming, rowing, Judo, kick boxing, motor biking, a surfing simulator and wrestling. In addition, 25 local bands will have a chance to showcase their talents and learn from the professionals, with live acts playing throughout both days. David Simpson, Network Rail’s Route Director for Scotland, said: “With a new railway set to run through Alloa in the near future, it is vitally important that young people are made aware of the dangers of hanging around near the railway. Anyone interfering with trains and the track risks injury disfigurement and death. They also present a danger to the passengers travelling on the train. “Network Rail is committed to reducing the numbers of accidents caused by trespass on the railway and our research suggests that this is most likely to be carried out by a minority of under-18s. In particular, those young people who are not in school and do not have other activities to keep them busy. “No Messin’ Live! aims to get kids interested in different activities and encourage them to try something new. By providing some alternative opportunities, we hope to keep young people away from the railway and from potentially life-threatening situations. “No Messin’ Live! in Alloa will be pretty special. It is the biggest event of its kind ever hosted in Scotland and we expect young people to turn up in their hundreds. The event is free for all school age young people, but certain activities, such as the football training with Rangers and Celtic coaches, will obviously be extremely popular. So come along early to join in.” Councillor Kenny Earle, Clackmannanshire Council's partnership portfolio holder, said: "This is an exciting and interesting event that has so many things going on for young people. Regardless of their interests and hobbies, they will find something that they want to do. This is a first for the area, and I am delighted it is coming to Alloa this summer. "We want to ensure to young people, especially teenagers, are aware of the dangers of messing about on railway lines while also giving them some really exciting things to do during the summer holidays.” In addition to the No Messin’! campaign, Network Rail has a dedicated Railway Crime Education team working closely with other parts of the railway industry, offering railway safety information and visiting schools, youth offending teams, youth clubs and local authorities throughout the UK.