A new scheme which aims to prevent trespass and cut rail delays has been shortlisted in the National Rail Awards 2020.

Earlier in 2020, train operator South Western Railway and Network Rail submitted an entry to the National Rail Awards which highlights the work completed by Trespass and Welfare Officers.

The submission has been shortlisted for the Safety Achievement of the Year Award, with the winner being announced later this year.

Trespass and Welfare Officers were introduced by South Western Railway a year ago. They are on hand across the network to promote the safe use of the railway.

The officers were introduced following a doubling of delays on the Wessex Line caused by trespass incidents and fatalities since 2013/14.

Since being introduced in July 2019, they have made 115 crisis interventions and prevented countless delays.

Alessandro Finistrella, SWR’s Senior Security & Route Crime Manager said: “Since being introduced onto the SWR network in July 2019, our Trespass and Welfare Officers have played a transformational role in keeping people safe and preventing damaging passenger delays.

“We are enormously proud that the immense efforts of these officers have been recognised by the National Rail Awards. We are keeping our fingers crossed for a win!”

Mark Killick, Network Rail’s Route Director, Wessex said: “We’re delighted that our Trespass and Welfare Officers are being recognised in this way.

“The railway is at the heart of every community; it carries millions of passengers every year and impacts on hundreds of thousands of people, whether through stations, level crossings or those living alongside it.

“Our officers work hard to keep people safe, and they will continue to do so.”

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