Network Rail issued a call for signallers who have retired or changed their field of work to return in order to ensure that the railways can keep operating in Britain during the coronavirus pandemic.
Now, after just four weeks, Network Rail has opened its training centre in Newport, south Wales, after more than 200 signallers across Wales and the west of England responded to the call.
The signalling training centre will train both new recruits as well as those returning to the profession. The facility in Newport at the Crindau depot used to be testing workshops and meeting rooms that were no longer in use.
“It is a remarkable achievement that this fully functioning training suite for signallers has been completed in less than a month.
“Under normal circumstances we have enough signallers to keep trains running whatever happens, but these are not normal circumstances and without fully trained signallers it is possible that parts of the network would have to shut.
“I am delighted with the response from former signallers who are willing to return to the railway. Putting the right training and facilities in place mans that we can get them back up to speed to help us keep moving essential freight goods, and passengers whose journeys are essential.”
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