Transport for Wales (TfW) has attributed a 23% drop in trespass incidents across its South Wales Metro railway lines to rail safety education workshops attended by 50,000 schoolchildren.

The No Second Chances campaign was launched in summer 2023 to reduce anti-social behaviour and trespassing on the railway, particularly among young people. At its heart is the simple message that clothes can have a second life, but people can’t.

The campaign uses a mix of behavioural science and immersive storytelling to reinforce its message that the public should stay off the tracks and stay safe. In-school workshops were held for pupils aged 11 to 15 and delivered in partnership with the educational and public sector provider, Bollo.

The milestone of 50,000 rail schoolchildren having attended the safety education workshops comes after the electrification of the Core Valley Lines was completed with the installation of 281.5 miles of live overhead line wires carrying 25,000 volts. The electrified lines now pose an even greater risk to anyone trespassing on the railway.

In April, Network Rail, train operators and the British Transport Police launched a No Second Chances campaign to improve safety at level crossings. In June, as part of Rail Safety Week, schoolchildren from the West Midlands visited a unique centre next door to the headquarters of the West Midlands Fire Service to learn about staying safe on the railway.

“Directly engaging with 50,000 pupils through in-school workshops is a significant milestone, allowing us to deliver safety messages to the age group where trespassing is most prevalent. Alongside our much wider programme of public events, social media and work with ambassadors, we’ve driven a 23% reduction in trespass incidents on the Core Valley Lines. This proves we are achieving positive behavioural change, and we’ll continue working to make our railway safer for everyone. If any schools across the Cardiff and South Wales Valleys region haven’t yet had our team visit, we encourage you to get in touch.”

Kelsey Barcenilla, Transport for Wales Engagement Manager