Media centre

Wednesday 14 Dec 2022

Llanhilleth pupils ‘choo choo’ choose safety

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

Colleagues from the project team responsible for upgrading the Ebbw Vale line recently visited St Illtyd’s Primary School in Llanhilleth to present vouchers and certificates to winning pupils across the school.  

All pupils in years one to six produced safety posters about the dangers of the railway, following an interactive presentation delivered by Network Rail and AmcoGiffen staff, who are upgrading Llanhilleth station to enable an hourly service to Newport in the future.  

Winners were chosen from each of the school years, and nine children were highly commended in their categories. 

Children at the school learned about the dangers of the railway and construction sites as well as the personal protective equipment (PPE) needed when working on the railway. 

Nick Millington, acting route director at Network Rail Wales and Borders said: “I would like to congratulate all the pupils who took part in our safety poster competition. It’s fantastic to see that the talented children at St Illtyd’s Primary School are as passionate about safety as we are at Network Rail.  

“Safety is our number one priority on the railway, and with the major upgrade work we’ve been carrying out in the Ebbw Vale area, I’m delighted to see that the children are engaging with our vital safety messaging is such a creative way.” 

Jeff Roberts, Project Director at AmcoGiffen said: “It’s great to have the opportunity to educate the next generation on railway safety, especially as St Illtyd’s Primary School is so close to our construction site.”  

Kelly Forrest Mackay, Headteacher at St Illtyd’s Primary School said: “We are extremely grateful to be able to connect and work with Network Rail to support promoting safety for our community. Our children have enjoyed completing the safety awareness posters and learning about aspects that could impact on them during the railway construction time. Such partnership working is vital for success.” 

Lois Park, Transport for Wales’ Head of Stakeholder and Community Engagement, said: “Thank you to the pupils and staff of St Illtyd’s Primary School for their enthusiasm and creativity in this competition, and congratulations to the winners. Engaging with local communities is vital as we work together on this major project, especially around safety, and we’re very appreciative of this positive response.”  

Councillor John Morgan, Cabinet Member, Place & Regeneration, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council said: “Well done to everyone who took part in the competition and especially the prize winners. I am really looking forward to seeing the final printed versions of the posters at the site for the whole community to see the great creative skills of the St Illtyd’s pupils.”  

The improvements at Llanhilleth station are part of the £70m transformation of the Ebbw Vale line, funded by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, via a loan from Welsh Government. The work will enable Transport for Wales to run an additional hourly service between Ebbw Vale Town and Newport in the future.