Media centre

Friday 7 Apr 2006

EASTER WARNING TO YOUNG PEOPLE- STAY OFF THE TRACKS!

Region & Route:

Network Rail has issued a vital safety warning to young people in the West Midlands to stay away from the railway tracks and stay safe this Easter. Peter Strachan, Route Director for the West Midlands said: “We implore parents to make sure their children understand the dangers of playing on the tracks. We don’t want any child to die as a result of playing on the railway this Easter”. Every year young people are needlessly injured and killed because they choose to play on the railway. Trains travel up to 125mph and take over two miles to come to a full stop once the emergency brakes have been applied. There is also the temptation to place things on the tracks or throw stones at trains, without a thought of the dangerous consequences. Placing things on the tracks has the potential to cause a major derailment. This year there have been 187 incidents of objects being placed on the tracks in the West Midlands alone. At Acocks Green station vandals have placed objects on the line that have caused major disruption local services and as well as risking passengers and their own lives in the process. Incidents like this cost Network Rail and the railway industry over £250 million a year. Based on the premise that many young people are tempted to play on tracks because of boredom and a lack of anything else to do, Network Rail and its industry partners have developed a ‘No Messin’!’ campaign. The aim of ‘No Messin’!’ is to get young people to engage in a range of fun and safe activities rather than to playing on the railway, as well as spreading the ‘No Messin’!’ on the railway message. Peter adds: “As infrastructure owner, we have a responsibility to spread the message that the railway can be a dangerous place. You wouldn’t try to use a motorway as a short cut or a place to hang out- so why the railway? Our message is clear: ‘No Messin’!’”.