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Thursday 17 Dec 2020

Network Rail installs new, lifesaving defibrillator in rural Selby village

Region & Route:

Eastern

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Network Rail has installed a new life saving defibrillator at Stubbs Walden North level crossing in the village of Walden Stubbs, Selby, following a request from the community.

In June 2019, Network Rail was asked if it would be possible to install a defibrillator at the level crossing so that it could be used by the community in the event of an emergency.

Villagers raised over £600 for the equipment, which has now been installed at the crossing, which sits on the line between Knottingley and Shaftholme. The line is predominantly used by freight services which are heading to the nearby Drax Power Station. Both Drax and freight operator DB Cargo contributed £500 each for the equipment. North Yorkshire County Councillor John McCartney put £1000 from his locality budget towards the project, which will be used for ongoing maintenance and running costs. The design of the installation was done free of charge by AGH Engineering Ltd.

Network Rail teams have carried out work to allow the device to be fitted, including installing a walkway, fencing and handrails and connecting the defibrillator to the power supply. The defibrillator is now ready to use if required.

Dawn Sweeting, Community Safety Manager for Network Rail, said: “We’re always happy to work with the community and we’re glad that we’ve enabled this life saving equipment to be installed.

“We’ve seen a real sense of community spirit here and we’ve worked with other rail industry partners and local businesses to bring this project to fruition. We hope the defibrillator never has to be used, but it’s good that it’s available if needed.”

Nina Jackson, the resident who approached Network Rail to install the lifesaving equipment, said: “I would like to thank Network Rail, Drax and DB Cargo for their outstanding community support in the village of Walden Stubbs. This together with the fundraising efforts of residents has enabled the installation of a defibrillator. This life saving equipment is invaluable, considering the remote nature of the village.”

Bruce Heppenstall, Drax Power Station Plant Director, said: “We’re proud to be able to support the communities in which we operate. Equipment like this can be life-saving, particularly for people in rural communities which are often further away from medical centres, so we’re delighted to have played a part in providing it.”

Kathryn Oldale, Head of Strategy, Policy and Communications at DB Cargo UK, said: “DB Cargo UK is delighted to have been able to contribute to this invaluable, lifesaving support for the people of Walden Stubbs, local communities and ultimately for our railway family who use the local lines.

“Having public access defibrillators in more rural settings give people who suffer a cardiac arrest in the community a chance of life because every second counts. Local residents and anyone in the area who may need immediate access to a defibrillator will now have peace of mind that one is set up and ready to go.”

North Yorkshire County Councillor, John McCartney, said: "I was delighted to facilitate a grant of £1,000 to help enable Stubbs Walden become the final community in the area to have its own lifesaving defibrillator in place. 

“It was fantastic of Network Rail to site the defibrillator at one of their level crossings in the village as they have no public buildings in the village. Without their support there would be no defibrillator in Stubbs Walden."

Andy Hughes, Managing Director for AGH Engineering, said: “When we were approached by Network Rail with the details of this scheme, I had no hesitation in saying that we would help and offer our services at no cost.

“We undertook a site survey and produced a detailed design for the provision of the power supply. The fast turnaround of the design and the physical installation has been a great example of collaborative working between ourselves, Network Rail, the community and other partners.”

ENDS