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Friday 17 Aug 2018

Network Rail’s Pride as railway road gets rainbow makeover

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

Network Rail is supporting Manchester’s Pride Festival ahead of next weekend (24 – 27 August) by painting a pedestrian crossing outside Manchester Piccadilly station in the pride flag colours.

The festival, the UK’s largest pride event, attracts around half a million visitors each year, many of who travel by train.

In a joint effort from British Transport Police and Network Rail, who manage Manchester Piccadilly station, the black and white pedestrian crossing has been transformed into the colours of the rainbow.

The crossing is outside the main exit from the station. It leads to the entrance of Canal Street, where the festival is held.

British Transport Police Chief Inspector Dave Rams approached Network Rail with the idea following conversations with a colleague at Greater Manchester Police. 

Scott Green, Manchester Piccadilly station manager said: “It’s great to show our support for the Pride Festival and along with British Transport Police, we are looking forward to giving visitors a warm welcome to Manchester.”

Chief Inspector Dave Rams said: “We thought this was great way to celebrate Pride and a fantastic way to welcome visitors to the city and point them in the direction of Canal Street.

“We have a rich heritage of inclusivity here in Manchester and we’re proud that our Pride event is one of the biggest in the UK. We want everyone to enjoy the event and celebrate with us. We’ll be here to greet visitors when they arrive at Piccadilly station – so come and say hello on your way through – and remember WeStandTogether!!”

In last year’s British LGBT Awards, Network Rail’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) employee network Archway was named the top LGBT+ employee network in Britain for improving the lives of LGBT+ people. For more information please visit: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/pride-in-our-people/