Media centre

Tuesday 10 Jul 2007

MEDWAY SET TO GET THE NO MESSIN' MESSAGE

Region & Route:

| Southern

Young people in the Medway area will have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of free activities as part of Network Rail's No Messin' Live! summer campaign. The event, at Strood Sports Centre on 1st August and the Black Lion Leisure Centre in Gillingham on 2nd August, aims to raise awareness of railway safety amongst young people by giving them ideas about positive ways to spend their time, rather than play on the railway. Activities available include surf simulators, football coaching by Gillingham FC, climbing walls and trampolining. The event is free for all young people aged between 9-16 years old. Andrew Munden, Network Rail Route Director, said: "The Medway area is a hotspot for rail crime, so it is important that young people are aware of the dangers of hanging around or playing on the railway. One of the main dangers, which should never be forgotten, is that there are 750 volts of electricity running along the live rail and that the rail is live 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. “Many of the people who use the railway as a playground do so because they think they’ve nothing else to do. No Messin' Live! aims to get young people interested in different activities and encourages them to try something new. By doing so, we hope to make them think twice about playing on the railway, and avoiding potentially life threatening situations." The events in Strood and Gillingham are being supported by a number of organisations, including Medway Youth Service, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, British Transport Police, KCA Young Peoples Service, train operator Southeastern and Medway Council. In addition, bus company Arriva has agreed to reduce single fares for young people travelling to either event. They will pay a single fare of 50p when wearing a No Messin! wristband, which are being handed out in schools. Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services Cllr Les Wicks said: “We are pleased to be working with Network Rail to promote safety on the railways and provide our children and young people with the opportunity to try new activities instead of messing around on or near the railway. It is very important that our children understand how dangerous railway tracks are.”

Medway Council’s Director of Children’s Services Rose Collinson said: “All pupils in years 7 to 11 in Medway have been invited to come along and experience the activities on offer during the No Messin’ Live! Roadshows. This is a worthwhile event and it is a real opportunity to promote the railway safety message to school pupils in Medway." Southeastern’s Managing Director Charles Horton said: “The trauma associated with death and injuries on the railways, especially when young people are involved, is often profound. Far better that youngsters should be encouraged not to fool around on trains and tracks but instead discover ways of enjoying themselves safely and legitimately.” Twelve No Messin' Live! events are taking place throughout the summer holidays across the UK. They are backed by boxing hero Amir Khan who will launch the campaign on 24th July in London. Says Amir Khan: "There's no excuse for mucking about on train tracks. You may think you're clever and fast but a train is quicker and what's clever about getting yourself killed? No Messin' Live! is a great way of finding a better way to spend your time, whether it's trying out new sports, like boxing, or skills such as mixing and having a laugh with your mates too." The No Messin' campaign isn't just for the holidays. Network Rail has a team of dedicated Railway Crime Education Managers working closely with other parts of the railway industry, offering railway safety information and visiting schools, young offending teams, youth clubs and local authorities throughout the UK.