{"id":10151,"date":"2024-02-10T00:36:37","date_gmt":"2024-02-09T14:36:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=10151"},"modified":"2024-02-10T00:36:37","modified_gmt":"2024-02-09T14:36:37","slug":"good-news-friday-a-weekly-roundup-of-positive-rail-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=10151","title":{"rendered":"Good News Friday: A weekly roundup of positive rail news!"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Western Railway receives highest possible score for safeguarding customers and colleagues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

South Western Railway (SWR)<\/a> has received the highest possible score for safeguarding vulnerable people on its network. \u00a0<\/p>\n

The British Transport Police (BTP)<\/a> awarded the train operator 100% for its Safeguarding on Rail scheme reaccreditation, demonstrating an exceptional commitment to protecting its customers and colleagues. \u00a0<\/p>\n

SWR<\/a> was only the second train operator to achieve Safeguarding on Rail accreditation, with over 90% initially, and has now received 100% for its reaccreditation, cementing its leadership on safeguarding in the rail industry.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Safeguarding on Rail was developed by the BTP<\/a> and the Department for Transport to reflect the high numbers of vulnerable people on the rail network, and the responsibility that the industry has to keep them safe. \u00a0<\/p>\n

For the reaccreditation, SWR<\/a> submitted over 200 pages of evidence showing the various systems and schemes in place to embed safeguarding as \u2018business as usual\u2019 within its culture, involving everyone from senior leaders to frontline colleagues.\u00a0<\/p>\n

By December last year, almost 90% of SWR<\/a> colleagues had completed a safeguarding training course, with colleagues able to complete additional training to become a \u2018safeguarding champion\u2019. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

SWR<\/a> shared examples of positive safeguarding interventions by colleagues putting this training into action, including helping customers in a moment of crisis and reuniting lost minors with their loved ones. \u00a0<\/p>\n

The BTP<\/a> also interviewed SWR<\/a> directors, department heads, the safeguarding coordinator, rail community officers, and colleagues at stations and across the network to compile the final report. \u00a0<\/p>\n

SWR<\/a> works closely with the BTP<\/a> to deliver on its safeguarding strategy, routinely sharing information and proactively engaging with BTP<\/a> partners daily, on areas ranging from counterterrorism to violence against women and girls. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Together with the BTP<\/a>, SWR<\/a> has set up \u2018safe spaces\u2019 at key locations, including at large events like Royal Ascot, and outside busy stations such as Richmond, to identify and respond to vulnerable people. \u00a0<\/p>\n

SWR<\/a> promotes safeguarding campaigns\u00a0with other organisations too,\u00a0such as \u2018Small Talk Save Lives\u2019\u00a0with Samaritans<\/a>, the White Ribbon<\/a> campaign with White Ribbon UK<\/a> and \u2018Safe Way Home\u2019 with Missing People.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

The \u2018All Aboard\u2019 campaign was also launched in the autumn, aimed at ending discrimination and abuse on the railway by encouraging customers and colleagues to report incidents to the BTP<\/a>. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Dan O\u2019Riordan, Head of Security and Safety Assurance at South Western Railway,<\/a> commented:\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m incredibly proud of the team for achieving 100% for our Safeguarding on Rail accreditation. They do such a fantastic job protecting our customers and colleagues on the network.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cSafeguarding is everyone\u2019s responsibility, which is why we have worked so hard to embed safeguarding as \u2018business as usual\u2019. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIf anyone is feeling vulnerable, anywhere on the network, we want them to know that they can talk to a colleague and will be in safe hands.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n

Paul Furnell, Detective Chief Superintendent for the British Transport Police,<\/a> said:\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cSouth Western Railway<\/a> achieved the pass mark of 100% which is a testament to the significant amount of work they have put in to protect and safeguard vulnerable people.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was evident both through interviews and with evidence provided that South Western Railway<\/a> is dedicated to safeguarding and has a real desire to build on what is a great foundation to make this a success. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI would like to congratulate South Western Railway<\/a> for the work done to deliver the Safeguarding on Rail criteria.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

SWR<\/a> plans to build on the reaccreditation further by organising a national safeguarding conference, engaging further with other train operators and partners to build on its success and share best practices. \u00a0<\/p>\n

The revival of the railway station tearoom shows no sign of slowing as seven new coffee shops open at Northern stations<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The traditional station tearoom is seeing a boom across Northern<\/a> stations as seven exciting new venues have opened over the last few months \u2013 from artisan coffee shops to a bustling bakery.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The train operator\u2019s stations are home to some amazing hidden gems and independent businesses that might make you want to stay awhile instead of rushing for your train.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mark Powles, commercial and customer director at Northern<\/a> said: \u201cWe have so many wonderful independent businesses that for customers to enjoy across our network.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAs well as being places where people catch the train, we also want to create and be part of the local community.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Fursty Fox \u2013 Birchwood\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

An independent coffee shop, this small business had previously operated from a renovated horse trailer but has now brought its tasty treats to the station.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Offering hot drinks and homemade snacks, it is the perfect place to refuel.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Smiths of Cheshire \u2013 Wilmslow\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Providing comforting classics and food inspired from travels across the globe, this is a caf\u00e9 not to be missed \u2013 especially the spectacular specials, which in the past have included jollof and fiery chicken rice. Who knows what will be on the board next, but it\u2019ll definitely be yummy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Hit Cafe \u2013 Cross Gates\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Offering a vast selection of cakes, coffees and coolers, this lovely caf\u00e9 has breathed new life into the station.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Owner Katie has more than 16 years\u2019 experience in hospitality and wanted to create a place that is warm and welcoming for everyone. She also wanted to name the caf\u00e9 something that meant something to her and chose HIT, which is made up of her children\u2019s initials.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Harrogate Secret Bakery \u2013 Harrogate\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

This much-loved Harrogate bakery has opened its third outlet at the station \u2013 and offers a range of sandwiches, cakes and drinks.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The traditional fresh handmade bread is a highlight, as are the fantastic grilled sandwiches.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen \u2013 Bradford Forster Square and Castleford\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

A small independent chain dedicated to specialty coffee, Gourmet Coffee has now opened two more branches in Bradford Forster Square and Castleford stations. Even the biggest coffee aficionados will be satisfied by the carefully sourced, roasted and brewed beans.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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The Railway Cafe \u2013 Worksop\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

A cosy spot for lunch, the new caf\u00e9 on platform 2 offers everything from breakfast and brunch to decadent homemade cakes. Delicious milkshakes and smoothies are also on the menu.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Northern\u2019s<\/a> Stations as a Place programme aims to promote local railway stations as community hubs rather than simply access points onto the rail network. The rail operator is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.<\/p>\n

Businesses interested in setting up at a Northern station can check out the current opportunities on their dedicated webpage\u00a0or get in touch if they are interested in a location that isn\u2019t listed.<\/p>\n

New waiting shelters set to be installed across 21 Northern stations thanks to \u00a31.9m investment<\/strong><\/p>\n

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A total of 35 new waiting shelters are set to be installed across 21 stations as part of a \u00a31.9m investment by Northern<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Once finished the new shelters will be partially enclosed, providing customers with shelter from the elements and bench seating.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Craig Harrop, regional director at Northern<\/a>, said: \u201cInvesting in upgrades to stations across the network is extremely important to us. Even small changes like installing a new shelter can have a big impact on our customers using the Northern<\/a> network.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Work will begin this month and will finish in early summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The following stations are included in the scheme: Aspatria (2), Bare Lane (1), Belle Vue (2), Bramley (2), Chassen Road (2), Cherry Tree (2), Clitheroe (2), Conisbrough (2), Denby Dale (1), Humphrey Park (2), Kildale (1), Lockwood (1), Long Preston (2), Northwich (1), Pleasington (2), Ryder Brow (2), Shipley (1), Widnes (2), Woodlesford (2), Redcar Central (2) and Prudhoe (1).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n

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Amtrak awards contract for new Frederick Douglass Tunnel<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

South Western Railway receives highest possible score for safeguarding customers and colleagues South Western Railway (SWR) has received the highest possible score for safeguarding vulnerable […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":10152,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[32,47,488],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10151","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-and-opinion","category-rail-news","category-railway-stations"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10151","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10151"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10151\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/10152"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10151"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10151"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10151"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}