Network Rail nets new partner in rail safety initiative

Network Rail and Netball Scotland are teaming up with the goal of providing a new rail safety messaging platform.

It is being created to help keep young people safe around Scotland’s railway.

This new partnership helps to mark Network Rail’s completion of the redeveloped Glasgow Queen Street station, and it will see them engage with communities who use the station or live along the line of the route.

The £120m redevelopment of the station played an important part in the Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP), which is the electrification of the main line between Edinburgh and Glasgow, via Falkirk High, to allow longer, greener electric trains onto the network.

The partnership harnesses a wider reach for both organisations. It will not only help to raise further awareness among young people of the importance of rail safety, but through sports programmes that encourage health and wellbeing, it will help build confidence and focus.

Working with Netball Scotland also allows Network Rail to collaborate with the Strathclyde Sirens, Scotland’s only semi-professional national female team, through its Sirens For Success Programme.

Members of the Strathclyde Sirens are currently running a series of workshops at schools in Glasgow to promote netball, wellbeing and mental health. As part of this activity, the Sirens will also raise the profile of rail safety, as well as the range of job opportunities Scotland’s Railway provides and the different career paths into the industry for young people.

Kris Kinnear, Network Rail capital delivery director, said: “Over the years, Network Rail has worked with several key partners as we recognise the vital part they play in helping us to engage with communities whether that is via sports, mental health organisations or charities.

“Such partnerships not only help drive our critical messaging on rail safety, but they are aligned to our social values and our long-term commitment in terms of how we can continue to make a positive contribution to the communities that we serve.”

Claire Nelson, Netball Scotland CEO, said: “I am really proud to announce this powerful new partnership with Network Rail, as we join forces to take critical and potentially lifesaving messages into secondary schools to engage, educate and empower teenage girls.

“This investment into our Sirens For Success Programme, which has already positively impacted the lives of thousands of young people across Scotland since its launch in 2017, will enable us to reach even more people and make a difference to so many more lives.

“Through the power of our sport and our athlete role models, we are committed to reducing inequalities, breaking down barriers to participation and positively impacting mental health and physical wellbeing, and through this new partnership with Network Rail we can continue to do this on a larger and more sustainable scale where it is needed most. Our thanks to Network Rail for its support and investment; together we will make a difference.”

In addition to Netball Scotland, Network Rail has worked with the Scottish Football Association since 2018 to deliver football camps and has reached over 45,000 children across Scotland as part of the programme

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