Media centre

Wednesday 31 Jul 2013

Don’t let a tipple turn into a trip, warns new safety campaign

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

A new campaign encouraging people to take extra care on their way home after a night out has been launched today after figures revealed 166 people have been hurt in the last year through slips or trips at Scotland’s two biggest railway stations.

Network Rail says many incidents occur when people lose their balance after a night out drinking and is using a new digital and poster campaign to urge everyone to take care.

There were 65 incidents at Glasgow Central between April 2012 and March 2013 and 101 incidents at Edinburgh Waverley. At Network Rail’s 17 managed stations across Britain, a total of 1601 slips, trips and falls were recorded.

Leeds, London Paddington and London Liverpool Street stations top the table for the highest number of incidents and across Network Rail’s managed stations the toll consists of, tragically, one fatality, 51 bone fractures, 19 dislocations, five concussions and dozens of bruises, cuts and abrasions as people have fallen on steps and escalators, over luggage and even off platforms between trains.

Robin Gisby, Network Rail’s managing director for network operations, said: “We do everything we can to make moving around our stations as easy and safe as possible but our teams deal with far too many people who have injured themselves where it appears alcohol has been a factor.

“We want people to enjoy their evenings and get home safe. The only thing I want to see fall is the number of incidents, so hopefully the campaign will be a gentle reminder for people to take extra care as they travel home through our stations.”

British Transport Police Deputy Chief Constable Paul Crowther said: “Somewhat inevitably, drinking alcohol can impair people’s judgement and coordination. Encouraging passengers to be more aware of their surroundings, particularly when they have had a drink, and to be alert to the inherent dangers that exist in stations will, we hope, reduce avoidable slips and falls across the network.”

The posters, which will be placed in all 17 Network Rail managed stations across Britain, include an optical illusion with wine and beer glasses giving the impression that the page is moving. The video, which will be placed on Youtube and on screens in stations, includes three incidents captured on CCTV highlighting the often painful consequences of taking a tumble at a station. Thankfully none of those involved sustained any permanent injuries – but no doubt bruised their pride.