A new interactive experience is helping children from Edinburgh and the Lothians understand the dangers of playing on or near the railway.
The initiative comes after Network Rail upgraded its railway safety scenario room at The Risk Factory, a purpose-built centre in the capital which opened in 2007 and provides a safe environment for primary 7 children to learn life-saving strategies for hazardous situations.
The new room features an immersive activity for children to learn about the risk of playing on or near the tracks. The new activity sees items such as money, a school bag, or laptop being placed on a simulated railway line, with the pupils then asked how they’d respond. During the exercise, an image of a train emerges from the tunnel to vividly illustrate the danger.
The initiative comes following there being 365 trespassing incidents in Scotland last year involving under 18s – the equivalent of one a day. Wider delivery partners include the City of Edinburgh Council, SP Energy Networks, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and Police Scotland.
Jeremy Spence, route delivery director at Network Rail, said, “One trespassing incident on our railway is one too many, so this upgraded scenario room will be vital in providing an immersive and impactful learning experience for children on how to stay safe.
“By vividly demonstrating the dangers of playing on or near tracks and giving them the time and a safe space to work through how they would respond, we’re equipping young people with the knowledge and strategies to protect themselves and their friends.
“More than 100,000 pupils have visited The Risk Factory since it opened, and we’re confident thousands more will benefit from this improved experience for years to come.”
