NETWORK Rail is launching a radio campaign on October 11 to warn the public that overhead power equipment on the Glasgow-Barrhead line is now live.
The launch comes as engineers enter a testing and safety validating process on the Barrhead electrification project, with the two-week campaign running on Clyde FM to highlight the change to the railway environment.
In addition to the radio campaign, more than 4,000 safety leaflets have been distributed through every door in lineside communities over the summer. Every school along the line of the route will also receive the safety leaflet as a follow on from workshops delivered earlier in the year.
Through social media, safety messaging will continue in the run up to the project completing and ahead of the introduction of new electric trains on the route from December of this year.
The electrification came as part of a £63.3 million upgrade of the line, with engineers working ‘around-the-clock’ over a six-week closure to install over 14,400 metres of overhead power cables.
Paul Reilly, senior programme manager at Network Rail, said, “Energisation is the culmination of the work we have been delivering over the last two years, as we now test the new overhead equipment and ensure it is operating as it should.
“Electrification introduces a substantial change to the railway environment in terms of risk for those living or working near to the newly electrified route, which is why safety is Network Rail’s priority.
“Since February of this year, through our industry partner Learn Live, we’ve been taking the safety message into the classroom by delivering workshops to primary and secondary schools and raising awareness on how to stay safe.
“Our radio campaign is just one way we’re making people, particularly young people, aware of this change and encouraging them to stay safe near the railway. Overhead power lines carry 25,000 volts of electricity – enough to kill anyone who comes into contact with them.
“Our message is clear – electrified lines are always on, so always stay off.”
