Pupils at schools across Scotland are set to learn about railway safety through a series of workshops held by the ScotRail Alliance.

As part of Rail Safety Week 2017, which runs Monday 25 September – Sunday 1 October, leading figures in the rail industry will work in partnership to promote the vital importance of rail safety.

The ScotRail Alliance is holding a series of school safety based events to educate, address, engage and promote rail safety, including interactive workshops which focus on level crossing awareness.

By using drama, games, improvisation and quizzes, the workshops are designed to share safety information and railway facts and figures with young people. Character-based activities will be used to give pupils the opportunity to put themselves in the shoes of people who had been involved in making unsafe decisions, as well as considering the impact of accidents on the wider community, railway staff and other passengers.

The Scottish Football Association and the British Transport Police will also host football and rail safety sessions to raise awareness of the danger of playing near the railway.

Rail Safety Week is an industry-led initiative focusing on rail safety for all.

ScotRail Alliance Community Liaison Executive Allan James Brooking said:

“We’re really looking forward to playing our part in making Rail Safety Week a success.

“It’s important that young people understand just how dangerous the railway can be. That’s why we’re running several interactive workshops to raise awareness and highlight the risks – particularly at a time when we are electrifying large portions of the Scottish rail network.”

Founder of Rail Safety Week Alan Tarrant said:

“It’s fantastic to see the rail industry come together again to make the foundations of what is looking to be a great week.

“With over 120 organisations committed to delivering important safety messages across the UK I’m confident we, as an industry, can continue working together to raise the standard and profile of safety within the industry.

“As Rail Safety Week is a non-profit organisation we rely on the help, hard work and commitment of the industry to make the week a success.”

Inspector Bryan O’Neill from British Transport Police, said: “We’re looking forward to joining ScotRail next week as we all get involved with Rail Safety Week 2017.

“Throughout the year, officers from BTP regularly visit schools to talk to young people about the dangers of the railway. The railway is a hazardous environment and often we’re called to worrying incidents where children have trespassed onto the tracks. The workshops next week will be a fun and interactive way to engage with young people and make sure they know about the risks of the railway.”