Media centre

Tuesday 15 Mar 2016

Safety awareness and passenger information day at Manchester Piccadilly

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

Passengers passing through Manchester Piccadilly station tomorrow (Wednesday 16 March) are invited to join Network Rail, Virgin Trains, Northern Rail, BTP and Mid-Cheshire Community Rail which are hosting a community safety awareness day.

The event is being held on the main station concourse from 10am to 6pm where visitors have the opportunity to discuss a number of topics.

Safety is the main focus of the day with representatives from Network Rail available to discuss their current station and level crossing safety campaigns to help keep the railway safe.

Janet Clark, community safety manager for Network Rail, said: “Safety on our railway is something our passengers as well as our staff can take responsibility for. Simple decisions at stations such as choosing to use a lift rather than an escalator when you have heavy bags or a pushchair can prevent accidents and injury.

“We want to take this opportunity to speak to passengers about how they use the railway both in stations and out on our network.”

Inspector Michelle Wedderburn of British Transport Police said: "Our officers will be on hand at Manchester Piccadilly station to promote awareness of how to travel safely on the railway, offering top tips on the best way to keep your belongings secure.

"We will also be encouraging passengers to use our discreet 61016 text service, now in its third year, to report any incidents that make them feel uncomfortable or unsafe while travelling.

"Through partnership working at events like these, we can engage with the public to ensure their journey and their experience of the railway is a safe and pleasant one."

Northern Rail, Virgin Trains and Network Rail will also be on hand to discuss railway safety, upcoming Easter work and any other service related issues.

Over Easter, Network Rail is undertaking 450 individual improvement projects totalling £60m – one of the biggest Easter investment programmes to date. In Manchester the 11 day closure of Manchester Victoria and Salford Central stations (Thursday 24 March – Sunday 3 April) will have a significant impact on services as vital Ordsall Chord preparation work is completed. Network Rail and Northern Rail will be working together to inform passengers about what is happening and their alternative travel options during the event.

Martin Frobisher, route managing director for Network Rail, said: “I recognise this work will cause disruption for passengers. But I would urge people to view this short-term pain against the long-term gain it will help achieve for Manchester and people and businesses across the North of England.

“The Ordsall Chord will bring better connectivity and faster journeys between the great cities of the North, including Hull, Newcastle, Liverpool, Leeds and Manchester.”

Passengers are encouraged to check www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest information before travelling over the Easter period.

ENDS