Media centre

Thursday 12 Feb 2004

PAINT THE WHOLE WORLD IN A RAINBOW

Region & Route:

| Southern

NEWS RELEASE & PHOTO OPPORTUNITY Network Rail today unveiled a brand new fence at Ferry Lane Primary school.  The fence, which stretches 150 yards, has replaced an old chain link fence and some scruffy bushes and will ensure the pupils stay away from the railway. It is the first time that coloured, high-security palisade fencing has been used.  It’s 1.8 metres high, cost £14,000 and is often used near railways to prevent access to the dangerous tracks.  Ferry Lane school is an ideal location to use this rainbow fence for the first time as the school is near two railway lines, the West Anglia route out of London Liverpool Street and the North London Line. The fencing panels alternate in green, brown, red, yellow, blue, black and white. John Young, Network Rail Manager said:  “Safety is Network Rail’s top priority and millions of pounds are invested each year in renewing fences.  The area around Ferry Lane school is one of the region’s hot spots for trespass and vandalism.  By improving the fencing and educating the children we will help to win the battle against railway crime.” - more – Rainbow - 2 Network Rail also laid down a challenge to the Ferry Lane pupils, aged between three and 11.  Pupils between three and six were asked to colour in and complete railway safety posters and pupils aged between seven and 11 were challenged to design a poster with a ‘rainbow’ train travelling near their school. Entries were judged by Network Rail and there was one winner per year group (see table). The winners all received ‘art-boxes’ which were presented by John Young, Network Rail, on Thursday 12 February at the unveiling of the new fence.