Media centre

Wednesday 26 Jul 2006

STAY SAFE THIS SUMMER – KEEP OFF THE TRACKS North East

Region & Route:

As the school holidays get underway Network Rail is , once again, reminding young people of the dangers of playing on the railway. In the past year, almost 50 people were killed and hundreds more were injured on the railway, crossing the tracks, taking short cuts, messing around or playing chicken.   In 2005/06 there were 61 recorded incidents of trespass or vandalism in the Darlington area alone.  That is 25 more incidents than any other location in the North East and research shows that many of these incidents have been carried out by young people who risked their lives by doing so. The No Messin’! campaign promotes alternative activities which young people can get involved with.  The website, www.no-messin.com has details of these, live events where young people can come along and try a new activity.  There is also a competition where they can win prizes including an MP4 player. Neil Henry, area general manager for Network Rail, said: “We know that most young people who either trespass on the railway or vandalise it claim that they do so because they think they have nothing else to do.  We want them to realise that there are alternatives out there which - unlike playing on the railway – don’t involve the risk of disfigurement and death.”