Rail talk

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Patients, schoolchildren, low-paid workers and passengers need a resolution – and they will not forgive the government if they do not lift a finger to resolve this.”

In 2016/17, there were 6.7 potentially life-saving interventions made for every suicide or suspected suicide on the railway. Figures calculated using data from the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) and British Transport Police (BTP).Fewer than one in five trains are likely to run, and only between 7am and 7pm, probably only on main lines. Samaritans CEO Julie Bentley said:“We know that the pandemic has had a huge impact on the nation’s mental health and wellbeing and even though restrictions are lifting, people are still struggling. It’s so important we look out for one another now more than ever, because suicide is preventable and it’s everybody’s business. The emphasis is on responding in ways people feel comfortable and safe with. Different courses of action are suggested, depending on the situation and the response. They range from approaching the person and asking them a question to distract them from their thoughts, or alerting a member of rail staff or calling the police.

Talks between Network Rail (NR) and the union are expected to be held in the next few days, sources say. Unions have shut down big parts of the rail network, hitting local businesses and unfairly cutting people off from hospitals, schools and work. The survey also highlighted the benefits small talk can have, with over half of respondents saying it can make people feel less lonely (57%) and boost their own mental health and wellbeing (45%), as well as showing others that people care and want to help them (28%).*

Three out of five of those polled said they were generally supportive of the principle of industrial action, while just 35% were generally opposed, PA Media reported. As the nation begins to readjust to life with easing restrictions, Network Rail, British Transport Police and the wider rail industry joins charity to empower the public to act if they see someone who needs help by starting a conversation I’ve known Anas for a very long time. He’s a friend, I have complete respect for him, as does Keir Starmer.

Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, has condemned the strikes as “extremely frustrating” and blamed the government for the disruption to the capital’s transport services. He said the strikes would have a “devastating impact” on the capital’s economy and that he hoped unions would return to the negotiating table with Transport for London and the government. The Rail Forum event was a good opportunity to engage with a variety of suppliers. We really enjoyed the ‘speed dating’ style approach, and the platform was brilliant. Great engagement from the suppliers and we were able to hear about some very interesting products, services and solutions presented by some of the SMEs. A really well organised event that encouraged the start of bigger discussions.” Network Rail By highlighting that suicidal thoughts can be temporary and interrupted with something as simple as a question, the campaign aims to give the public the tools to spot a potentially vulnerable person, start a conversation with them, and help save a life. TOCTalk Live runs 1:00pm – 2:30pm, giving attendees ample opportunity to visit the exhibition and conference elements too! Small Talk Saves Lives encourages passengers to notice what may be warning signs e.g. a person standing alone and isolated, looking distant or withdrawn, staying on the platform a long time without boarding a train or displaying something out of the ordinary in their behaviour or appearance. There is no single sign or combination of behaviours that mean a person is suicidal but, if something doesn’t feel right, the message is to act.But Shapps insisted the RMT union’s request for a meeting was a “stunt” and the union was “determined to go on strike”. The RMT union said it would meet rail bosses for fresh talks on Wednesday. But, the BBC reports, even if an agreement were reached, it would not stop Thursday’s planned strike, but that with 48 hours’ notice it could potentially prevent disruption on Saturday. On Sunday night, a rail industry source said there was a “sliver of hope” of a resolution, with talks between the rail industry and unions continuing into the evening after starting at 2pm. Nevertheless, the two sides still appeared far apart on many of the main issues.