Media centre

Tuesday 25 Mar 2014

Luton footballers take Railway Safety Stateside

Region & Route:

| Eastern

As part of initiative to tackle railway crime, Network Rail is working in partnership with a under 14’s football team to encourage young people to take up more positive activities in Bedfordshire.

Network Rail has sponsored the Luton Schools FA under 14’s team kits, which will be worn when the team flies out for Dallas Cup Youth tournament taking place in Texas USA, starting from 11 April 2014. Exposure on US sports channels will help raise awareness of the campaign as well as reinforcing the message closer to home.

With at least one incident a month on this part of the Midland Main Line, Network Rail plans to roll out its railway safety campaign ‘Rail Life’ to all secondary schools in the area following the tournament. The team will act as Railway Safety Reps giving presentations themselves to at least 1500 young people in seven of the eight secondary schools in the area.

Liz Reedy, community safety manager for Network Rail, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to raise the profile of our railway safety campaign, Rail Life. We are delighted to have the support of Luton Schools FA for our important safety messages and we will be working with schools and the wider community to highlight the dangers of railway crime to young people.

“Luton is a hotspot for trespassing on the lines, so partnerships such as this are vitally important. Not only will this partnership encourage children and young people to be more active but also, to keep themselves safe – and off the tracks.”