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Thursday 1 Aug 2024

Metrocentre children's train takeover to encourage rail safety this summer

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Coast

Railway safety is being highlighted to families and children by using a popular attraction at the North East’s biggest shopping centre.

On Monday 29 July, Metrocentre’s mini express train pulled into its new station with a fresh look after getting a safety messaging makeover.

Train operator Lumo is sponsoring the Gateshead shopping centre’s much-loved attraction and has designed a special station stop in the Platinum Mall.

Throughout the school holidays its young passengers will be encouraged to learn the basics about staying safe while using the railway.

It comes as Network Rail has released new figures which show trespassing on tracks is twice as likely to happen in the summer months.

Between 2023-24 there were 2,578 incidents of trespassing recorded on the East Coast Main Line, with 396 of them involving children.

As well as putting people at risk, those cases caused 21,708 minutes of delayed trains – that’s 15 days in total.

Ivy Yeung, Network Rail’s East Coast Route crime manager, said: “It’s great to support Lumo using Metrocentre’s much-loved mini express train to help us get our important railway safety message to its young passengers. With thousands of people risking themselves by straying onto the tracks each year, it's crucial we get through to as many people, of all ages, to make them aware of the real risks of the railway, and that it’s never a place to play.”

Jen Clare, Lumo’s service delivery director, said: “Trespassing not only endangers lives but also results in delays and cancellations that ripple through the entire rail network.

“Our partnership with Metrocentre aims to raise awareness about the dangers and potential consequences of trespassing on the railway. By engaging with the community in with this family friendly approach, we hope to educate and encourage safe behaviours, ultimately reducing incidents and enhancing safety for all."

Gavin Prior, Metrocentre centre director, said: “We are keen to support this initiative and help to raise awareness of the issues during our busy summer months.  This is a fun and informative campaign with a serious message which will educate children and their families.” 

Network Rail has plenty of online learning resources and safety campaigns for children of all ages.

For younger children these include a Thomas the Tank Engine downloadable story book as part of its ‘Stay Safe with Thomas’ campaign, narrated by Joe Swash.

For parents you can access the material by visiting: www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/safety-in-the-community/railway-safety-campaigns/stay-safe-with-thomas/

Learning material for schools, including the You Vs Train campaign for older children, can be found at: www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/safety-in-the-community/safety-education/