Local schoolgirl's winning safety message as Selby Rail Bridge work steps up a gear
A safety conscious Selby school pupil is set to have their artwork displayed on hoardings around the site of works at Selby Rail Bridge after winning a poster design competition.
Selby
Wiki Czech's winning design was revealed to her fellow classmates at Barlby Bridge Primary School last week as Network Rail prepared to step up their programme of works on the nearby bridge. Wiki's poster was chosen by judges from the school, Network Rail and contractors Kier, who asked pupils to find the most creative way of promoting site safety whilst the nearby creaking Selby eyesore is given long overdue care and attention.
Monday also saw the official opening of the school’s new outdoor learning area, gifted to the school by Network Rail and contractors Kier who are carrying out the majority of the works for the rail network provider. The new, covered outdoor classroom will provide a great opportunity for children at the school to learn in the open air.
Network Rail's visit to the school came just ahead of the start of the main thrust of a £14m refurbishment of the rusty Victorian structure.
The intensive phase of the planned investment works began on Saturday, and marked the most significant improvement made to the bridge since it was built in 1889.
Work to the bridge includes repairs to ageing steelwork, replacing and strengthening of some sections of the structure and a long awaited new coat of paint. Work on the bridge’s hydraulic system will be undertaken and the track which runs across the bridge will be replaced. New walkways and steps for bridge operators are also being installed.
Other winners in the safety poster competition include runner up, Olivia Wiczkowska. Katie Ann Herring and Emily Hanks also picked up prizes for their artwork. The first-placed designs won a £25 WHSmith voucher, with £15 vouchers to those in second place.
Darryl White, Network Rail’s project manager for Selby swing bridge, said: “It is great to be able to give something back to the local community that will make a difference for years to come; not only providing an outdoor learning area but also to support the school with new fencing.
“We were very impressed with the standard of the entries of the poster design competition, and think the winner is a bright and colourful way of helping to remind people to stay safe near to the site.”
The work will continue throughout the summer and is planned to be completed in time for normal rail services to resume on the morning of Monday, September 8th. Until then buses are replacing a number of rail services and passengers are being advised to allow extra time to complete their journey.