A unique training centre has opened in Birmingham to help prepare transport providers and the emergency services for major incidents on the railway.
The Birmingham Rail Resilience Hub has been created by Network Rail's Central route to train and develop teams alongside train operators, the police, fire and ambulance services.
The true-to-life training ground - which includes tracks, trains, level crossings, and all the other equipment and hazards found on the railway - have been mocked up in a purpose-built facility in Aston so teams involved in managing emergency situations are prepared and ready to deal with them.
It allows for close partnership working between organisations, a better understanding of the challenges there will be in real life scenarios, and the opportunity to learn and improve together in a safe environment.
The new facility means the railway in the West Midlands is now at the forefront of emergency planning and will be a focal point for supporting training and learning nationwide.
It was officially opened by Denise Wetton, Network Rail's central route director, and Martin Colmey, Central route's operations director, before hosting its first emergency exercise to demonstrate the types of scenarios and learning can take place there.
Denise Wetton, Network Rail's Central route director, said: "Every day, we work round-the-clock to keep the railway running safely for passengers and freight across Britain.”
“But we must be prepared for all eventualities and this facility puts the West Midlands at the forefront of training, readiness for day-to-day disruption and dealing with major incidents”
"This hub creates a safe, realistic environment which allows the railway, emergency services and industry partners to learn and work together so we are ready to deal with situations in real life.
"We hope the scenarios which will be tested here never happen, but training and learning in this way will help everyone be prepared and ready."
The emergency exercise demonstrated how the rail industry and emergency services would respond to vehicles being struck by a train on a level crossing. With passengers on board, it was shown how the area would be assessed and made safe, before trapped and injured people were rescued, and an investigation into what happened began ahead of reopening the railway.
Organisations involved in the exercise included West Midlands Police, British Transport Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service, West Midlands Fire Service, and Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.
Rebecca Hodgkins, Operations Station Commander, West Midlands Fire Service, said: “It’s been fantastic to collaborate with Network Rail and test our response to rail incidents alongside our other amazing blue light partners at this new training facility in Aston – a brilliant step forward in strengthening how we work together to ensure a safe, assertive and effective response to rail incidents.”
James Williams, WMAS Head of Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response, said: “This new training facility is a really useful resource that will allow our crews to realistically prepare for significant incidents on the region’s railways. It was great to be involved in the opening last week where we got to see first-hand the benefits the facility will bring to emergency response in the West Midlands.”
Other organisations involved and in attendance included Nimski who provided the role play actors for the exercise and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) who independently investigate accidents to improve railway safety, and inform the industry and the public.
Andy Lewis, Deputy Chief Inspector, RAIB, said: "A successful response to rail accidents relies on effective collaboration between the agencies involved — from the railway industry to emergency services and accident investigators. This facility offers an invaluable opportunity for teams to train together in realistic scenarios, building the trust and mutual understanding needed to ensure responders are equipped and ready to work together under the pressures of real-world incidents."
As well as being a training and learning facility, the hub's location and access to major roads means it is also home to Network Rail Central route's response teams which are the first on site when every day and major incidents, which can disrupt train services, are reported. It will also be a secure storage area for essential and specialist items needed to make repairs and keep the railway running safely and on time.
Image credits: Network Rail
