Pupils from 15 schools get involved in Leeds Station Safety Week

Schoolchildren from across West Yorkshire have been taking part in activities as part of Leeds Station Safety Week.

Run by Network Rail, Northern, British Transport Police and Leeds United Foundation, the activities focussed on safety issues when using the station, being on a train or near the railway. Pupils ranging from nine to eleven years old from 15 different schools got involved in the various activities.

The interactive sessions included information about how to prevent accidents by not running or riding bikes, scooters or skateboards in the station, as well as how to stay safe when using escalators.

Pupils were also taught how dangerous it is to trespass on the tracks, particularly in areas with overhead line equipment, which carries 25,000 volts and would have devastating and life changing consequences for anyone coming into contact with it. The children also learnt about the impact unsafe behaviour near the railway could have on train drivers.

Vicki Beadle, operations risk advisor for Network Rail, said: “Safety is Network Rail’s priority and we wanted to put on fun activities for children, whilst raising awareness of the dangers of messing about on or near the railway.

“Throughout Leeds Station Safety Week, the children learnt about many aspects of railway safety, ranging from the risks around running in stations to the dangers of trespassing near the track or overhead lines.

“We run the events each year and it was great to see so many pupils from schools across Leeds getting involved.”

Chief inspector Lorna McEwan, for British Transport Police, said: “We welcomed this opportunity to promote rail safety as part of Leeds Station Safety Week in partnership with Network Rail. It’s vital that our young people are aware of the dangers of misusing the railway and the consequences.

“All the children involved were really receptive to what our officers had to say and we hope they are now confident to speak to us as they pass through the station and are aware of the dangers of trespassing on or near the railway.”