Network Rail: campaign to reduce alcohol-related railway incidents

To combat the 7,419 recorded alcohol-related incidents on or around the railway in 2016/17, 16% of which took place over the festive period; Network Rail, British Transport Police, RSSB and charity Drinkware have launched a campaign called Keep a Clear Head. The scheme is also encouraging the public to keep a clear head on the rail network using local and national communications channels, including across social media.
December 22, 2017 Read time: 3 mins
To combat the 7,419 recorded alcohol-related incidents on or around the railway in 2016/17, 16% of which took place over the festive period; 5021 Network Rail, British Transport Police, 7978 RSSB and charity Drinkware have launched a campaign called Keep a Clear Head. The scheme is also encouraging the public to keep a clear head on the rail network using local and national communications channels, including across social media.


Figures from Network Rail revealed that 21 people were killed due to alcohol-related incidents at the platform edge, and a further 91 people have received serious injuries over the last ten years. Passengers boarding and alighting trains were involved in 469 alcohol-related accidents in the last five years.

Network Rail is sharing its message to smartphones on the rail network in locations where there have been higher levels of alcohol-related incidents or with more pubs and clubs nearby. There will also be alcohol awareness events in stations in the run-up to Christmas.

Level crossing managers will provide safety information to its users and a virtual reality film, Keep a clear head, can be viewed on the level crossings app.

The top 10 stations with alcohol-related delay-causing incidents revealed that Birmingham New Street had 452 between 2012/13 to 2017/18, followed by 433 incidents at Reading station over the same period.

Danger points for intoxicated passengers include not heeding the warning signs at level crossings; trips and slips at the platform edge and on station escalators and; straying onto railway tracks.

According to British Transport Police, there has also been a rise in violence at many of the busiest railway stations over the festive season, much of which is caused by excess alcohol. Between 24 November 2016 and 2 January 2017, the number of violent offences reported at railway stations across England, Scotland and Wales increased by 14% compared with the same period in 2015/16. Almost one in 10 of those offences involved alcohol.

Allan Spence, head of public and passenger safety, Network Rail, said: Though trains are the safest way to get around, passengers and people living near the railway must always remember that it can be a dangerous place. That’s why we’re reminding the public to remain alert to those dangers whilst they’re having fun over the festive season. Taking a short cut across the tracks, chancing it at level crossings or tripping at the platform edge can, at best cause delays to your journey; at worse it can result in serious harm. Enjoy yourself but don’t let alcohol stop you or your fellow passengers from getting to where you need to be – keep a clear head.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Sony helps Rio get a better view of the Olympics
    June 29, 2016
    With the Olympics approaching, Sony’s Stephane Clauss examines how the latest camera technologies can help cities cope with the huge crowds attending major events. This August will see more than 10,000 athletes head to Rio de Janeiro for the Olympics Games. Alongside them will be their coaching staff, a hoard of logistics teams, thousands of volunteer marshals (London 2012 had 70,000) and millions of spectators. All such major events have nervous jitters on the way to the opening ceremony. This year has see
    Read More
  • Transcore challenges perceptions, targets broader markets
    December 13, 2012
    In August this year, Tracy Marks took over the presidency of TransCore, succeeding John Simler, who has moved on to other roles within parent company Roper Industries. A 19-year veteran of the company, Marks describes himself as having been groomed for the job. Previously responsible for TransCore’s Southern region in the US, he also took on a series of roles, including the top job at United Toll Systems, as part of moves which were carefully choreographed to prepare him for where he is now. The appointmen
    Read More
  • MaaS Market Conferences on both sides of the Atlantic in 2018
    December 20, 2017
    Momentum shift in prospect as authorities accelerate plans to rethink transport provision. TS International’s second, two-day international MaaS Market conference takes place on 20 and 21 February 2018. The Mobility as a Service (MaaS) event is ideal for all organisations exploring new ways of getting people to their destination and new methods for them to pay for transport services.
    Read More
  • MaaS Market Conference examines transportation’s new options
    January 9, 2018
    Second MaaS Market conference highlights pilots and fledgling services from around the world. That a revolution in the provision of transport services is underway is no longer in doubt. The only uncertainties are the precise form that revolution will take; who will be the winners and losers; and how long it will be before it takes root. Driven by passionate advocates of Mobility as a Service or – MaaS – a wide range of projects and different approaches are being developed worldwide. It is that move from
    Read More

Highlighted Content