Rail Safety Campaign Helps Cut Trespass Incidents by Nearly a Quarter

Transport for Wales credits education programme reaching 50,000 young people with driving significant behavioural change as electrified South Wales Metro network enters a new era of operation.

A rail safety campaign aimed at young people has contributed to a 23% reduction in trespass incidents across Transport for Wales' South Wales Metro network, according to the operator.

The milestone comes as the No Second Chances initiative celebrates reaching 50,000 schoolchildren, with workshops designed to educate pupils about the potentially fatal consequences of entering the railway.

Launched in 2023, the campaign focuses on reducing trespass and anti-social behaviour among young people through classroom-based education, immersive storytelling and behavioural science techniques.

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Targeting the Highest-Risk Age Group

Developed in partnership with education specialist Bollo, the programme has delivered interactive workshops to pupils aged between 11 and 15 across schools in Cardiff and the South Wales Valleys.

The campaign centres on a simple but powerful message: while clothing and possessions can often be replaced, lives cannot.

Transport for Wales says focusing on young people has been key to tackling one of the railway's most persistent safety challenges.

Education Driving Behaviour Change

According to TfW, the campaign has helped achieve a 23% fall in trespass incidents on the Core Valley Lines, demonstrating the value of combining education with wider community engagement.

Alongside classroom sessions, the initiative has included public events, social media campaigns and work with community ambassadors to reinforce safety messages beyond the school environment.

The achievement comes at a particularly important time following the completion of the electrification of the Core Valley Lines, where more than 281 miles of 25kV overhead line equipment has been installed as part of the South Wales Metro transformation programme.

The introduction of live overhead power significantly increases the dangers associated with trespassing, with high-voltage equipment capable of causing fatal injuries without direct contact.

Rail Industry Continues Safety Push

The campaign forms part of a wider national effort to reduce incidents across the railway.

Earlier this year, Network Rail, train operators and the British Transport Police expanded the No Second Chancescampaign to focus on improving safety at level crossings.

During Rail Safety Week in June, pupils from across the West Midlands also visited a dedicated rail safety education centre to learn about the risks associated with the railway.

'Positive Behavioural Change'

Kelsey Barcenilla, Engagement Manager at Transport for Wales, said reaching 50,000 pupils represented a significant milestone in the campaign's development.

"Directly engaging with 50,000 young people through our school workshops has allowed us to reach the age group where railway trespass is most common," she said.

"Combined with our wider programme of community events, digital engagement and ambassador activity, we've achieved a 23% reduction in trespass incidents on the Core Valley Lines.

"That demonstrates genuine behavioural change, and we'll continue working to make the railway safer for everyone.

"We'd encourage any schools across Cardiff and the South Wales Valleys that haven't yet taken part to get in touch."

Investing in Prevention

With the South Wales Metro continuing to expand and more electrified routes entering service, Transport for Wales believes education will remain one of its most effective safety tools.

Rather than relying solely on enforcement, the operator is using early intervention to help young people understand the consequences of unsafe behaviour around the railway before incidents occur—an approach that the latest figures suggest is already delivering measurable improvements.