Blog Post

Faced with over 19,300 trespass incidents on the UK rail network in 2023/24 (Source: Network Rail), a wave of youthful creativity has risen to champion safety. The BackTrack Competition, challenging young people to craft impactful anti-trespass messages, proudly unveils its 2025 winners! This year’s competition saw an explosion of talent, with primary (under 11) and … Read more

The Rail Safe Friendly Programme is proud to introduce its team of passionate ambassadors, each dedicated to bringing crucial rail safety information to schools across the region. These individuals bring a wealth of experience and personal commitment to the mission of educating and protecting young people near railways. Meet the Ambassadors: Liz Ballantyne: A driving … Read more

We are thrilled to announce a major milestone for the Rail Safe Friendly programme! Network Rail Western Route has become our very first PLATINUM partner, an elevation from their previous Gold level status. This incredible achievement highlights their unwavering dedication to promoting rail safety. The team at Network Rail Western Route, led by Steve Melanophy, … Read more

COMET is proud to announce its partnership with the Rail Safe Friendly (RSF) Programme, an initiative delivering crucial rail safety education to schools across the UK. This collaboration aims to raise awareness of railway dangers and promote safety among children, teachers, and communities. Click here to read more about COMET’s involvement, the importance of rail … Read more

In 2023, we launched the Rail Safe Friendly programme, a heartfelt initiative inspired by the tragic loss of 11-year-old Harrison Ballantyne. Harrison’s life was cut short when he was electrocuted by overhead power lines while trying to retrieve a lost football in a rail freight depot. The incident, which involved a shocking 25,000 volts, left … Read more

March signifies a significant milestone, as it marks the second anniversary of the Rail Safe Friendly Programme, a journey filled with impactful developments and lessons learned along the way. Over these two years, the programme has evolved, driven by a commitment to enhancing rail safety awareness among young individuals. Rail Safe Friendly has not only … Read more