School pupils learn about railway safety along East West Rail route

A team from Network Rail’s East West Rail programme are visiting schools along the route of the East West Rail line between Bedford and Bicester to help children and young people in the local areas understand railway safety.

The upgrade will reintroduce new passenger and freight services between Oxford and Bedford, Milton Keynes and Aylesbury, eventually connecting East Anglia to western England.

There are a number of level crossings along the route and the team are engaging with children and young people on using the crossings safely.

Last week the team attended a super learning day at Fulbrook Middle School in Woburn Sands. Year 7 & 8 children had the chance to take part in class activities and presentations on level crossing safety and electrification. Students participated in group-based worksheets, multiple choice quizzes and viewed rail safety videos. The school is now looking at arranging a similar event for the younger year groups in the near future.

Lucy Druce, scheme project manager, Network Rail said: “Over the next few years, the East West Rail line will be upgraded meaning more trains running, providing more services to the local areas. We have started talking to schools to bring rail safety into the curriculum as well giving railway safety talks.

“We have a number of schools booked into the diary between now and the summer holiday. As a team we are looking to deliver talks on subjects relating to Level Crossings and Electrification across the ages. We are in the process of talking with schools to make sure the subjects we concentrate on and discuss are age appropriate and cover subjects important to the local area”.

Another five schools signed up for safety talks with the project team and the aim is to work with all schools along the route in the next twelve months.