Media centre

Thursday 23 Jun 2005

NETWORK RAIL GIVES KENT & EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY A HIGHLY VISIBLE BOOST

Region & Route:

| Southern

The future’s bright, the future’s orange for Kent & East Sussex Railway thanks to a package of orange high visibility clothing donated by Network Rail. Kent & East Sussex Railway – a fully working light railway and museum which runs for 10 miles from Bodiam in Sussex to Tenterden in Kent - is one of a number of organisations to benefit from the scheme. Over 1600 pieces of surplus kit are being donated to a diverse number of organisations, including: scout groups, schools, railway heritage groups – and even a parachute centre! Dave Ward, Network Rail Route Director, said: “We are committed to developing initiatives that will benefit the community and the environment. This scheme will not only benefit the Kent & East Sussex Railway, but also other charities, and will avoid the needless waste of vital safety equipment.”  For this environmental initiative, rail workers across Kent have been collecting their surplus kit, including high visibility vests, jackets, body warmers and coats that were no longer needed, as the company has gradually introduced its own branded equipment.  Rail staff use the equipment to remain safe and seen while at work rebuilding Britain’s railway. The reuse of this equipment is not only environmentally friendly but will provide valuable personal protective equipment (PPE) for over a hundred organisations.   The equipment was presented to Pete Salmon, Operating Manager at Kent & East Sussex Railway, who said: “We are very grateful to Network Rail for their support. This equipment will be a huge boost for our teams of volunteers and will help them to be safe and look the part as they work on our railway in the coming months.”