Scouts back tramway safety campaign

Scout leaders from across the UK have now pledged to pass on the message ‘Two Lines = STOP’ to their Groups during a recent event aimed at sharing ideas on future activity programmes.

Among the topics presented at the Scout Association's National Headquarters at Gilwell Park in Essex was the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board’s successful initiative that’s been adopted by all seven of the UK’s second-generation tramways.

Carly Swift, LRSSB Marketing and Communications Manager, explained: “We’re delighted that the campaign will now reach a new audience, building on the excellent work already done by networks to reduce the risk of collisions between pedestrians and trams.

“Utilising bold graphics for signage and social media posts, the initiative followed extensive research that’s shown making people more aware of their surroundings when near the tracks is vital to further improving tramway safety.”

 Martin Fleetwood played a key role in bringing the campaign to the attention of the Scout movement. He invited the LRSSB to display signage and graphics used on Blackpool’s tramway at the two-day event involving around 1,800 Scout leaders.

A long-serving Scout Leader, a member of the Scout Association-Rail Industry Working Group and an LRSSB board member, Martin said: “The campaign material was an extremely useful addition to our rail industry stand, which proved very popular. Throughout the event, we were able to promote various rail industry-sponsored safety badges for Beavers and Cubs as well as a specific rail safety award for Young Leaders aged between14-18 year olds.

“Over the two days, I clocked up over 10 hours of talking to people about promoting safe travel on trams and trains, and now Scout groups up and down the country will be sharing pictures of the eye-catching campaign graphics and signage to continue the conversation, particularly with our young people.”