Call to former or retired signallers to ‘help keep the railway moving’

Network Rail is calling on former or retired signallers in the Wales and Border route area to help keep the railway moving during the current coronavirus event.

Network Rail say they are continuing to work around the clock, keeping signal boxes and control centres operational. This allows passengers who cannot work from home to get to their places of work and keeps freight services on the move, which helps deliver important goods, such as medical supplies and food to hospitals and supermarkets.

In a new appeal they say, “For those thinking of returning to the railway as signallers, there is no limit on how long ago they may have worked in that role, even if it was 10-15 years, as the appropriate accelerated refresher training will be provided. Network Rail is also interested to hear from former signallers who have worked on preserved railways, in addition to those former railway colleagues who do not have direct signaller experience, but feel they have a skill set and experience that could be useful in the current climate.”

Bill Kelly, route director for Network Rail, Wales and Borders, said: “Keeping our passengers, customers and colleagues safe and the efficient running of the railway are key aspects to Network Rail at all times and this has never been more true than now.

“Network Rail, throughout this pandemic, has maintained a safe and reliable network across the Wales and Borders route, and indeed across the whole country, and we plan to continue to do so, which is why we are planning for all scenarios.

“Having a strong team of signallers to cover signal boxes and panels on the Wales and Borders route is essential for the whole of Britain. It keeps trains moving so that fuel reaches our powers stations, goods reaches our shops and supermarkets, military equipment is relocated for strategic needs, such as helping to build the London Nightingale Hospital and, crucially, key workers are able to get to work and petrol reaches the pumps.”

In the first instance, those who would like to express and interest are kindly asked to email [email protected] , briefly outlining their experience.