NETWORK RAIL FOOTS THE ‘BILL’ FOR NEW SWAN RESCUE BOAT

Friday 7 Dec 2007

NETWORK RAIL FOOTS THE ‘BILL’ FOR NEW SWAN RESCUE BOAT

Region & Route:: | Southern

Network Rail has today donated a new rescue boat to Eton based swan care centre Swan Lifeline. The charity provides an invaluable service rescuing stranded or hurt swans from the railway, and with its help Network Rail is able to recover the swans quickly and safely from the tracks ensuring delays are kept to a minimum. Birds and animals on the track can be a tricky problem for Network Rail causing considerable delays and cost. In the past year swans stranded in the Thames Valley region have cost Network Rail £38,000, diverting funds from investment in the railway. Swan Lifeline has also provided swan handling training free of charge to key Network Rail staff. The training enables track workers to recover the swans without assistance from Swan Lifeline volunteers, who are then free to deal with other swan rescue emergencies. Network Rail Area Performance Manager, Amanda Hoyland said: “We are delighted to donate this new rescue boat to Swan Lifeline. The service they provide for us is vital to the safe and efficient running of the railway and of course the welfare of the swans.” On receiving the boat Swan Lifeline Treatment Centre & Rescue Co-ordinator Wendy Hermon commented: “We are really grateful for the donation from Network Rail. The boat will make such a difference to our work on the waterways in the Thames Valley area and ensure we can react to all emergencies reported to us swiftly.”

Notes to editors

The donated boat is a flat-bottomed dorey costing £1500 with enough room for two people and five swans. Network Rail would like to thank Dean and Dyball for storing and transporting the boat.

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