Community Railway Safety Programme

This project will provide a cross-country link along a railway route previously closed in the 1960s. The contractor observed that the public along the route were used to interacting with the old railway line without thought of the dangers posed by rail traffic. Building on existing Network Rail railway safety messaging, they developed a programme of safety messaging for the local communities.

These covered how to safely cross the railway (on foot/in vehicles) via the new bridges; dangers of electrified signalling equipment; behaviours within stations and safely conducting recreational activities (drones & shooting) alongside the tracks. These were delivered through drop-in sessions, schools, scouting/girl guiding groups, book donation to local libraries and advice sheets.

Whilst Network Rail have a programme of rail safety messages, it focuses on common dangers of existing railways e.g. overhead line equipment & level crossings. This contract has undertaken a coordinated programme of local community engagement over 2 years prior to entry into service of the railway and tailored the messages to reflect the railway conditions specifically found on this route and its major connections. This approach has been taken to prepare the local community early for the changes and to aid the community in modifying their thinking & behaviours around the railway before its in daily use.

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