Media centre

Thursday 25 Mar 2004

COMPETITION WINNER ‘ON TRACK’ WITH RAILWAY SAFETY MESSAGE

Region & Route:

Network Rail has announced the winner of the Layton Neighbourhood Watch poster competition.  The competition, which is sponsored by Network Rail was aimed at highlighting the dangers of playing on or near the railway and Liam Beaumont (aged 11), of Layton primary school designed the winning poster. Liam's creative efforts have been transformed into posters now on display at various stations along the Fylde Coast.  His poster also features on the educational www.trackoff.org website which provides free railway safety material for schools and has recently been accredited by the National Grid for Learning. Network Rail, in conjunction with Layton neighbourhood watch, is soon to be launching this year’s poster competition with Layton primary school's support.  This annual initiative is aimed at encouraging children to think about the potential dangers around the railway, particularly at a time of year when the days are getting longer and children are getting ready to play out during the summer months. Network Rail's External Liaison Officer, Alex Pilling is planning a series of railway safety presentations at Layton primary school to coincide with the launch of the poster competition.  Commenting on the importance of getting this safety message across, she said:  “Recent railway crime activity in the Layton area includes trespass on busy parts of the track, and missiles and stones being thrown at trains. Layton – 2 “Network Rail is hoping that the ongoing poster competition will help to bring down these levels of vandalism, and highlight the life threatening consequences of behaving irresponsibly on or near the railway.” Graham Crossland of Layton neighbourhood watch said: “This competition isn’t just about the dangers of crossing the tracks but also to remind children of the consequences of committing crime on the railway.  Initiatives like this are important to the neighbourhood watch as they educate children about the importance of creating a safer environment for the community.”