Media centre

Wednesday 27 Sep 2017

Rail industry is working together to remind people in Wales and the borders to stay safe

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Network Rail is teaming up with Arriva Trains Wales, British Transport Police, and other partners to remind the public to stay safe on and around the railway in Wales and the borders.

Andy Thomas, route managing director for Network Rail in Wales, said: “Britain has the safest railway in Europe but as the railway continues to get busier we must work even harder to keep people safe by making them aware of the dangers that exist. Taking a short-cut or messing around on the tracks can result in serious life-changing injuries or even death.

“We are working with Arriva Trains Wales, British Transport Police, and other partners to remind people of these dangers as we continue to deliver a safe, reliable, affordable and growing railway, connecting communities and supporting economic growth in Wales and the borders.”

Taking place between 25 September and 1 October, Rail Safety Week aims to address and promote rail safety across a dedicated week.

During this week, rail ambassadors and volunteers will visit schools, giving safety talks to pupils from Ysgol Maenofferen in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Ysgol y Traeth in Barmouth and Ysgol Tan y Castell in Harlech. The youngsters will be taken to their local level crossing where they will be shown the correct and safe way to use the crossing.

There will be a number of other activities across Wales and the borders, including:

• Events at Cardiff Central station hosted by rail ambassadors and volunteers from the Samaritans

• Raising awareness of level crossing safety at Croes Newydd level crossing in Wrexham

• Targeting tourists and young people at DangerPoint Safety Centre in Talacre on the North Wales coast
• Safe driving at level crossings will be highlighted to young and new drivers through the use of a mobile safety vehicle at a road safety centre in Cardiff

Gareth Thomas, director for Arriva Trains Wales, said: “The safety of our customers, staff and anyone coming into contact with the railway network has to be our first priority as an industry.

“Thankfully the number of major incidents in Wales has remained low, but we still hear of trespass incidents on an all too regular basis and these could so quickly turn to tragedy. This of course can have a deeply harrowing impact on families and friends of those involved but also on the train crew involved, the passengers, the track workers at the scene and of course the emergency services.

“So as a train operator we would ask all members of the public to work with us and our partners at Network Rail to respect the railway in Wales, follow safety advice and set an example to others.”