Translink Press Release NI Railways pulls out all the stops for Winter
NI Railways pulls out all the stops for Winter
8th December 2006 
Special railway anti-freeze, temperature-triggered heaters and high performance rock salt are just some of the introductions NI Railways is making this winter in a bid to help passengers get to their destinations on time, and to ensure that stations are slip-free zones.
NI Railway fitted the special heaters to key railway points following a risk assessment programme to determine the most vulnerable areas. Reacting to moisture or drops in temperature, the heaters ensure that control switches do not freeze over, helping to minimise disruption and delays for passengers. Meanwhile a new anti-freeze spray will also be applied directly to railway points and control switches by NIR’s team of engineers. The water-based substance, called ‘Snow Free Switch’, is environmentally friendly and melts snow and ice on contact.
In addition, this year NI Railways’ program of salting and clearing stations, platforms and public areas will for the first time use rock salt, a highly effective substance in reducing the slippery effects of snow and ice.
NI Railways General Manager, Mal McGreevy, explained that the new initiatives had been introduced in the interests of passenger safety and convenience and are accompanied by an ongoing intensive driver-training programme.
"Our Winter Preparedness Strategy has been to plan early for severe winter conditions. We monitor Met Office forecasts on a daily basis in order to predict when snow and ice are likely to appear. We then communicate predicted difficult conditions to all appropriate staff. However we would also call for members of the public to take extra care when using any of our facilities in the colder conditions.
“Our plans follow on from our intensive programme to combat the slippery conditions caused by leaves falling on the line. It has been extremely successful, and while the gradual change in weather has also helped, we have seen increases of over 20% in service performances against the same period last year demonstrating the effectiveness of this strategy during a very difficult period.
“As we come into winter we will continue to do all we can to ensure lines run as normally as possible and will endeavour to keep passengers informed, in a full and timely manner, of any changes or delays to their services,” Mal concluded.
Ends.
For further information please contact Keelin Haughey at Morrow Communications on 028 9039 3837 or email k.haughey@morrowcommunications.com
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