Media centre

Monday 22 Aug 2005

RAILWAY ROBOT ‘REACHES’ OUT AT FESTIVAL

Region & Route:

Up to 10,000 people attended the Burnley Reach Festival on Sunday (21 August) and Network Rail was there with Oscar the Robot to talk to young people about railway safety. Oscar was promoting the No Messin’! campaign, run by Network Rail, which has contributed to a dramatic reduction in railway crime in the area. As a result of the efforts of Network Rail in bringing the No Messin’! safety message to schools in the area, and its work with Burnley Football Club on the football in the community programme, railway crime in Burnley has fallen by nearly 70% in the past year. Network Rail’s Route Director, Peter Strachan, said: “Oscar is about five feet tall, and therefore the same size as many of the children he talks to. He answers their questions and tells them of the dangers of playing on the railway. Oscar really helps get the message across that the railway is not a playground.” Network Rail has also carried out a comprehensive programme of fencing renewal in the area, replacing ‘post and wire’ fencing with 1.8 metre high steel palisade fencing, making it much harder for children and adults alike to get onto the railway to take short cuts. When the summer holidays are over, Network Rail’s external liaison team will resume their safety talks at schools. If you would like them to pay your school a visit, get in contact through the Network Rail national help line on 08457 11 41 41.