‘Immersive’ training centre will increase safety for rail workers

The first purpose-built rail safety centre of its kind in the North of England, has been opened by the Minister for Rail, as part of the multi-billion pound Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU).

Rail workers will experience simulations of real-life scenarios at the Transpennine Route Upgrade Safety Training (TRUST) Centre, In Huddersfield.

Simulations will include actors staging immersive emergency situations, a rumbling floor for recognising incoming trains from a distance and various other multi-sensory rooms.

Blending film and live drama, participants will witness the actions, decisions and events which lead to a fatal incident on the rail tracks.

They are then taken through a series of interactive workshops (including in hospital, home, police interview and canteen settings) learning communications skills which they are then able to apply to prevent tragic outcomes.

Rail Minister Huw Merriman said: “This is a major milestone for the Transpennine Route Upgrade. Not only is the programme creating greener and more reliable services across the North, but it’s now taking vital steps to create a well-trained and highly skilled workforce.

“Safety remains at the heart of our railways and this centre will ensure it’s in the mind of every member of staff working on the project too.”

Neil Holm, managing director of Transpennine Route Upgrade, said: “The opening of the ground-breaking TRUST centre embodies the ethos that safety sits at the heart of the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade.

“We want to ensure everybody gets home safe every day. As we work to bring cleaner, faster and better journeys between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York, the safety of our teams has never been more important.

“TRUST centre training will be undertaken by everyone working on our programme, both working in offices and on the frontline.”

Councillor Cathy Scott, acting leader of Kirklees Council, said: “One of the great assets for our economy here in Kirklees is our connectivity, and the Transpennine Route Upgrade will massively enhance this.

“But as well as providing a boost to our economy in the future, this huge project is providing work and opportunities for local people right now – and that’s only set to increase as work on the TRU ramps up over the coming years.

Sir John Harman

“Investment like this is about long-term benefit, but long before we reach the end point of the upgrade we’ll see economic benefits and a skilled workforce for Kirklees.

Sir John Harman, chair of Huddersfield Unlimited, a business-led organisation that stands for the town of Huddersfield, added: “Huddersfield lies at the centre of the TRU line, almost equidistant from both Manchester and Leeds, therefore the town will certainly benefit from the upgrade, the largest rail investment in the North.

“Placing TRUST in the town, together with the required high use of local contractor services, brings highly desirable employment to Huddersfield.

“It is reassuring to know that all people engaged to provide the upgrade work will benefit from the employee safety and wellbeing TRUST will provide.”