Network Rail turns Corby students' film on railway safety into an E-comic

A group of switched-on Corby students who were the brains behind a Network Rail safety campaign have now seen their handiwork go global.

The company which owns and maintains out the UK's rail network picked out the group from Kingswood Academy after turning to 250 pupils in Northamptonshire schools for ideas.

Their work has been turned into a film spelling out the dangers of being on or even near the railway and then a comic book — which now has an electronic version downloadable from the world wide web.

Principal Michelle Newman said: “I am incredibly proud of our pupils and their hard work that went into this creative project to help ensure the safety of our wider community.

“As an Academy, we have been thrilled with the success of the short film and are excited to see our pupils’ ideas come to life in this new comic book.

“I would also like to thank Network Rail for this wonderful opportunity and their support and encouragement of our pupils throughout this project.”

Overhead cables on a stretch of the Midland Main Line from Bedford to Corby, via Wellingborough and Kettering, are now 'live' as part of Network Rail's £1.5billion upgrade which will see quieter and cleaner electric trains on the route later this year.

Network Rail's principal programme sponsor Gavin Crook said: “Although the Midland Main Line Upgrade will bring significant benefits to passengers, the electrification of the route from London to Kettering and Corby via Bedford does bring an additional danger to anyone trespassing on the tracks, so we need people to heed the warning and stay safe.”

“The comic is a great way to engage with young people about the dangers of trespassing on the railway and how this can, and does, have devastating, life changing and fatal consequences.

“We hope that being able to access the comic online will mean we can reach even more young people and really hammer the message home that they must stay off the tracks, as there is never any excuse to mess around on the railway."

The comic can be downloaded by visiting https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/safety-in-the-community/railway-safety-campaigns/always-on.

Work on the the Midland Main Line upgrade will see track and signals modernised, station platforms lengthened, bridges and tunnels remodelled and new trains with more seating introduced, delivering extra capacity and cutting journey times for passengers between London St Pancras, Northamptonshire and the Midlands.