Rail Safety Week – Helping Keep People Safe On The Railway

Safety is the number one priority on the railway for passengers and staff and the station sessions, held as part of Rail Safety Week (2-8 July), were the latest steps to raise awareness among the public about the importance of always staying safe when on or near the railway.

There was an emphasis on educating young people and students from several schools visited both Manchester Piccadilly and Birmingham New St stations.

In Manchester there were behind-the-scenes station tours, interviews with rail staff and the chance to use the public announcement system.

In Birmingham, adults had the opportunity to try ‘beer goggles’ on to illustrate the effects of alcohol on vision and senses while Sammy the safety bear popped into the station for a story with local children.

Neena Naylor, community safety manager for Network Rail, London North Western route, said: “Many young people use the railway for travel to school and in their own time, or live close by, and it’s essential we help them know how to use the railway safely.

“Rail safety week is always a great opportunity to host events and interact with young people and passengers to share our safety messages.”

There was also an interactive safety session using ‘Learn Live’ where a live broadcast was beamed directly into classrooms across the country, live from Birmingham New Street. Young people were able to ask staff questions about the station, trains and rail safety.