Pupils at Buick Memorial Primary School in Cullybackey pictured with (L-R) Mary McCrum, Translink; Mark Anderson, Translink; Rikki Peters, Principal, Buick Memorial Primary School; Ian Morrow, Head of Assurance, Translink; and Graeme Smyth, Translink
As local schools break up for the holidays, Translink has taken the opportunity to remind primary school pupils close to two ongoing major railway infrastructure projects of the importance of staying safe this summer.
Translink is undertaking major investment in the railway network in the Cullybackey and Lisburn areas as part of the Cullybackey Area Renewals and Lisburn Area Renewals projects.
These projects are intended to maintain and enhance our infrastructure, ensuring the delivery of a high quality, safe and sustainable network today, and for future generations, delivering track and signalling renewal, as well as platform extensions.
As the projects continue in the months ahead, Translink has visited Buick Memorial Primary School in Cullybackey and Tonagh Primary School in Lisburn to update on what we’re doing and to emphasise the importance of staying safe around the railway network and Translink sites this summer.
Pupils at Tonagh Primary School in Lisburn pictured with (L-R) Chris Millar, Translink; Ian Morrow, Head of Assurance, Translink; Mary McCrum, Translink; Graeme Smyth, Translink
Translink’s Head of Assurance, Ian Morrow, said:
“Safety is Translink’s top priority, and it is important for us to emphasise, especially to children and young people, the risks posed by busy work sites and indeed, by acting without care close to railway infrastructure in general.
‘‘People can put themselves and others at risk by not using level crossings or platforms properly, or by trespassing on or near the line or a work site. We would also encourage parents and carers to know where their children are and ensure that they are not engaging in unsafe or anti-social behaviour on the public transport network.
‘‘The ongoing major infrastructure projects in the Cullybackey and Lisburn areas provide an opportunity to remind pupils in these localities about the importance of safety on our network.
"We are also highlighting key safety facts, like how quiet trains are at speed and how they may not always be heard until they are just metres away, as well as the importance of using level crossings and platforms safely.
‘‘We’ve also been pleased to give the pupils at both schools the opportunity to learn more about rail and platform safety via use of virtual reality headsets, helping to clarify some of the risks involved in an interactive way."
Ian concluded: ‘‘Translink is investing to maintain our high safety standards for our customers, staff and the wider public, and it is important that everyone, particularly children and young people, heeds the warnings and stays safe around the railway network and around our sites as we work to improve our railway network and deliver a society that’s better connected.’’