Wednesday 6 Oct 2004

FREE RAILWAY KIT GOES BEGGING - ‘MAKE A CALL BEFORE THE RUSH STARTS’ IS NETWORK RAIL’S MESSAGE

Region & Route:
National

‘Get in now before the rush starts’ is Network Rail’s message as the company tries to recycle thousands of sets of personal protective equipment by offering them free to heritage railways and charitable organisations. As part of a new environmental initiative, rail workers across the country have been collecting their surplus kit, including high visibility vests, jackets, body warmers and coats that are no longer needed as the company has gradually introduced its own branded equipment. This initiative means that hundreds of high visibility orange vests, jackets and body warmers are now on offer to any organisation that is in need of them. Rail staff use the equipment to remain safe and seen whilst at work rebuilding Britain’s railway. The reuse of this equipment is not only environmentally friendly but will provide valuable PPE kit for many charitable organisations. A Network Rail spokesman said, “Network Rail are committed to developing initiatives that will benefit the community and the environment. This scheme will avoid the needless waste of vital safety equipment. Our advice is to get in quick before the rush starts”. - more - PPE - 2 Those wishing to benefit from the free offer should write to Network Rail directly, stating their requirements to Rebecca Smith, Corporate Environment Assistant, Network Rail, Floor 3, 40 Melton Street, London, NW1 2EE. Requests must be received in writing by Friday 26 November 2004.

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We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.

Usually, there are almost five million journeys made in the UK and over 600 freight trains run on the network. People depend on Britain's railway for their daily commute, to visit friends and loved ones and to get them home safe every day. Our role is to deliver a safe and reliable railway, so we carefully manage and deliver thousands of projects every year that form part of the multi-billion pound Railway Upgrade Plan, to grow and expand the nation's railway network to respond to the tremendous growth and demand the railway has experienced - a doubling of passenger journeys over the past 20 years.

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