Network Rail has outlined actions taken to reduce the rising number of people taking their own lives on railway property at a North Yorkshire meeting.
A meeting of North Yorkshire’s Local Access Forum heard two Network Rail officials recommend direct intervention.
The meeting heard following six deaths at Northallerton Railway Station about eight years ago, it had become too well known.
In response, places such as Northallerton had seen CCTV cameras and microphones installed, while volunteers for the Samaritans and British Transport Police undertook high-profile patrols at the station, handing out information cards.
Members expressed dismay after hearing incidents on the railway were continuing to increase and suggested Network Rail could increase the number and prominence of signs offering help.
The number of railway related incidents involving people taking their own lives in Great Britain rose from 192 fatalities in 2001/02, to 283 fatalities in 2019/20.
Rail officials say the emotional, human and financial costs are disproportionately high as they can take place in view of passengers, station staff and drivers.
Samaritans office
Councillor David Jeffels described the rising number of deaths as a “worrying trend”, particularly in a county with so many isolated level crossings and bridges, and questioned whether increasing the number of prevention signs could help.
A Network Rail official replied: “Prior information seems not to register.”
A Network Rail official told the meeting: “At that point in time we came very close to the Samaritans having their office on the station. It didn’t transpire, but what we do generally have is Samaritans signs at every level crossing.”
He said all 10,000 Network Rail staff now undertook training with the Samaritans so they could try to help.
Network Rail says rail employees, the police and public intervened in more than 1,810 suicide attempts on the railway in 2020/21.
The meeting heard Network Rail was working in partnership with Samaritans and other charities within the wider community to de-stigmatise the subject and promote help-seeking behaviour.
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