Rail safety is something that should be a given. With multitudes of dangers present around every item of rail infrastructure, it is vital that young people are taught about how to remain safe around the network.
During a special presentation at TransCityRail Midlands 2025 Stuart Heaton, Founder and Managing Director of LearnLive, spoke to delegates about the importance of initiative such as the Rail Safe Friendly programme. The programme is dedicated to making sure that young people, teachers, and parents are aware of the important message of rail safety, and ensuring that everyone gets taught about the dangers of a railway line.
Explaining to delegates about the impact that the Rail Safe Friendly programme is having, Stuart said:
“We do know it’s working because there was a level crossing incident recently down in Surrey where a young man was unfortunately hit by a train. But it turns out that it has been over a year since the last reported accidental death on a level crossing, and that’s the longest period that we’ve gone through in the industry without that kind of incident.
“So if we’re telling people, they’re going to pass on that knowledge and they’re going to know themselves when they approach this dangerous environment how they can respect it. With your help, we can reach even more and we can achieve our goal.
“We need the industry to step up.”
As he concluded addressing TransCity Rail Midlands, Stuart then took the opportunity to present Roy Rowlands from Cognitive Media Group with a plaque, underscoring the company’s support for the programme.
Upon receiving the plaque, Roy told the room:
“This is an initiative that saves lives and helps children grow. Many of you didn’t know about this before today, but you do now, so tell your children about it, tell your managing directors about it, and tell your teachers about it. Once you’ve told your teachers about it, they’ve got a responsibility to look into it further, reach out to Rail Safe Friendly, and get them in their schools.
“Let’s increase that number to every school and every student that ever attends.”
Image credit: TransCity Rail Midlands
