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Thursday 19 Aug 2021

Network Rail to host family-friendly railway safety event at Reading station

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Children and families are being invited to attend an open day event on Monday 23 August at Reading station where colleagues from Network Rail, Great Western Railway and British Transport Police will be running a range of activities promoting railway safety.

The open day is aimed at children aged 8-13 who will learn about railway safety and is designed to encourage children and families back onto the railway. There will be a quiz about track safety, the opportunity for children to learn how to buy a ticket, a visit to the station platform to learn how trains are despatched as well as the opportunity to take home some free activities.

The event will also raise awareness about the dangers of trespassing on the railway, changing attitudes and reducing the future likelihood of trespass, and links in with the Network Rail You Vs Train campaign.

The two-hour timed tours will run from 10am, 12pm and 2pm and will start from the north entrance of Reading station at Bagnall Way and are limited to 16 people per tour. For more information or to sign up please click here.

Andy Phillips, Network Rail’s Reading station manager, said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming all the children and families to the station next Monday.

“This initiative was introduced by our station colleagues to help instil confidence in people who have little experience of, or are nervous about, train travel. These trips are particularly well-suited to children leaving primary school or young secondary school pupils, who may be considering using the train in the future.”

David Pinder, Great Western Railway’s Reading station manager, said: “This free event is not only a great day out for parents with children during the school holidays, but also an opportunity for those who haven’t been at a station or on a train in quite a while to regain some confidence. 

“Reading is a key part on our network which will help secure the economic prosperity of the region as we welcome people back to the railway.”