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Wednesday 8 Jun 2005

LIVE EMERGENCY EXERCISE TO BE HELD IN NEWMARKET

Region & Route:

| Southern

Over 100 people will take part in a live exercise dubbed ‘Exercise Racing Bacon’ in Newmarket this weekend, in order to test the integrated emergency response plans of Network Rail, train operator ‘one’ and the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service.  The exercise will be based on a real-life scenario where a passenger train has derailed in Warren Hill tunnel, just north of Newmarket station.  It will provide the emergency services with a rare opportunity to practise their evacuation skills and will also be an important test of communication with Network Rail and ‘one’ emergency response staff. Phil Heath, Network Rail General Manager, said: “Network Rail’s emergency planners work closely with the emergency services throughout the year, undertaking a number of tabletop exercises.  However, a live exercise is by far the best way to prepare our staff for an emergency situation and give all parties the opportunity to fine tune their emergency plans.” The tunnel scenario has been designed to present a real challenge to Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, who will need to work within a dark and confined space and tackle both communication and operational difficulties.  There will also be time constraints; the exercise has been restricted to two and a half hours on Sunday morning to minimise disruption to passenger trains.     Mark Steggall, Assistant Divisional Officer for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: "These types of exercises highlight the importance of our training.  It is vital that we are prepared and well practised in all types of emergency procedures.  Our involvement in such exercises is part of our commitment to ensuring Suffolk is ready to cope with, thankfully rare, emergencies of this kind." The Class 170 train which will be used in the emergency scenario has been provided by train operator ‘one’, and volunteers from both ‘one’ and Network Rail will act as passengers on the train.  Refreshments on the day will be provided by the Womens Royal Voluntary Service, as they would in a real emergency situation, with first aid by the British Red Cross.  Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service Divisional Officer, John Wilcock, added: "The fire and rescue service will be working in close co-operation with other organisations, such as Network Rail, which may not be regarded as emergency services in normal circumstances.  It is important that we are all aware of our own specific responsibilities as well as the co-operation necessary with other organisations at a major incident." Normal train movements will be suspended between Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge for the duration of the exercise.  This will affect two ‘one’ services: the 09.02 train from Ipswich to Cambridge and the 10.50 train from Cambridge to Ipswich.  Bus services will be provided between Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge, calling at Kennett, Newmarket and Dullingham. Local residents in the vicinity of Warren Hill tunnel have been sent details of the exercise to prevent any concerns during the day.