Media centre

Thursday 18 Aug 2005

PHOTOCALL: MP SUPPORTS FIGHT AGAINST RAILWAY CRIME

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Date:               Monday 22 August Time:              11:45 Location:        Windwhistle/Coronation foot crossing (accessible via Windwhistle Lane/Colombo Road, off A370 Bridgewater Road)   Journalists and photographers are invited to attend a summer safety initiative to raise awareness about the dangers of trespassing on the railway, which is being supported by John Penrose, MP for Weston-Super-Mare.   Andy Hancock, Network Rail’s General Manager for the West Country, said: “In the past 12 months, there have been a total of 118 reported railway crime incidents in the Weston-Super-Mare area, with over a third of these committed by young people.  Incidents range from trespass and vandalism, to throwing stones at trains and placing objects on the line – all of which could lead to serious consequences.   “As the infrastructure owner, Network Rail has a responsibility to spread the message that the railway can be a dangerous place.  You wouldn’t try to use a motorway as a short cut or a place to hang out – so why the railway?  Our message is clear: No Messin!’”.   Based on the premise that many young people are tempted to play on tracks because they are bored and have nothing else to do with their time, Network Rail has developed a ‘No Messin’!’ campaign to encourage a diversion from unsafe activities, rather than trying to change behaviour through shock tactics.      Hotspot areas include Weston-Super-Mare Station area, Uphill and Worle, Highbridge & Burnham and Nailsea Station areas.