The Leeds United Foundation once again played its part in Leeds Station Safety Week, supporting Network Rail as they encouraged 900 schoolchildren to stay safe on the railway at Leeds City Station.

Network Rail worked alongside a number of partners during the annual safety week, including train operators LNER, Northern, CrossCountry, and TransPennine Express, whilst also working with the British Transport Police (BTP) and the club’s official charity, with students from 17 schools across the West Yorkshire area taking part in interactive sessions focusing on different parts of railway safety.

900 year 6 students, many of whom may never have experienced going on a train or passing through a railway station, are taking part throughout the week, nearly doubling the amount of 550 in 2023.

Latest figures show that across Network Rail’s North and East route, there have been 356 incidents involving young people since the beginning of April 2023, with 130 incidents recorded in Leeds.

Students have had the opportunity to use LNER’s train simulator to get a driver’s view of the railway, hear from the BTP about the potential consequences of trespassing as well as meeting their police dogs and getting up close to their vehicles and equipment, and learn from Network Rail and TransPennine Express colleagues about how to safely navigate through a station.

Colleagues from Northern also held a session on one of their trains looking at how to safely travel on trains, including the opportunity for children to sit in the driver’s cab, and CrossCountry and members from the Leeds United Foundation worked to deliver interactive sustainability activities.

Leeds, Wakefield, and Bradford are hotspot areas for young people trespassing on railway lines and putting themselves at risk by not understanding the dangers of the railway. Awareness-raising events such as these are vital in teaching young people the importance of staying safe on the railway and the potential consequences if they don’t.

Each student received a goody-bag filled with merchandise and reminders of what they had learnt during the sessions at the station.

Chloe Creffield, community safety manager for Network Rail’s north & east route, said: “These sessions are a great way for Network Rail and its rail industry partners to engage with schoolchildren about railway safety at a key point in their development.

“This event has been running for a few years now and we have grown it every time. With 900 students throughout the week, we have smashed last year’s record of 550 by a huge amount!

“The safety of passengers, colleagues, and train crew is Network Rail’s top priority and it is always such a joy that we can deliver such vital awareness-raising campaigns to help maintain safety on the rail network.”