Consultation now open by @Edinburgh_CC on ‘North Edinburgh Connections’ active travel scheme (Ferry Road-Pennywell Road-West Granton Road).
You can see the plans and comment (closing date 9 June) here:
Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans welcome the Scottish Government announcement today that free rail travel for companions of visually impaired people has been made a permanent policy across all ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper services.
Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans have been campaigning for this ‘life-changing’ decision for over three years through its Fair Rail campaign. The call for a new national policy arose when veterans at Sight Scotland Veterans raised an equality issue: visually impaired people had to pay for a companion on every rail journey, making travel unaffordable, while travelling without support was unsafe. They also highlighted the confusing range of concession and companion schemes across Scotland.
This news means, that from 1 April 2026, anyone with an Eye Plus One National Entitlement Card (NEC) can now travel with a companion throughout Scotland at no extra cost.
The announcement follows a year-long pilot, during which feedback from over 1,500 visually impaired NEC holders was overwhelmingly positive. Among those who knew about the scheme and had travelled by rail:
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “I’m pleased to confirm that from 1 April 2026, free companion rail travel for visually impaired people will become a permanent offering. This change will support around 8,000 visually impaired National Entitlement Cardholders who rely on ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper services.
“Over the past year, the pilot has clearly shown the profound impact that affordable, accessible rail travel can have for blind and partially sighted people. We’ve seen people travelling more often, gaining confidence, and needing less staff assistance. Feedback from Sight Scotland, Sight Scotland Veterans, and – most importantly – passengers themselves has been overwhelmingly positive.
“By making this scheme permanent, we’re opening up greater access to work, education, communities, and everyday life in ways many of us take for granted. This decision strengthens independence, reduces isolation, and improves quality of life, and it reflects our wider commitment to ensuring Scotland’s railway is accessible, affordable, and welcoming for everyone who depends on it.”
Anne Dignan, from Edinburgh, who is deafblind and has macular degeneration, comments: “This news is genuinely life changing. Knowing that free companion rail travel is here to stay gives me confidence and freedom I didn’t have before.
“I can plan trips without worrying about the cost of a companion ticket, travel more often, and explore new places that I couldn’t before without the extra financial burden.
“Thanks to Sight Scotland, Sight Scotland Veterans and the tireless work of campaigners, free companion travel means independence, inclusion and the opportunity for people like me with sight loss to access rail travel right across Scotland.”
Agnes Houston, 76, a former army nurse from Coatbridge, who lives with both dementia and visual impairment, says: “I am overwhelmed by this news. It means so much to me.
“Over the past year it has genuinely changed my life, and I was becoming quite worried about the pilot ending. Because of my visual impairment and dementia, I can no longer travel alone, especially over long distances, and I simply could not afford to pay for a companion. The difference the free companion rail travel has made to my mental health is extraordinary.”
Craig Spalding, Chief Executive of Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, comments: “We are delighted the Scottish Government has made free companion rail travel a permanent policy – a major step towards making train travel truly affordable and accessible for everyone.
“After more than three years of campaigning, this is a huge victory for our campaigners, service users, and our External Affairs and Campaigns team, whose hard work has made this possible.”
Phil Campbell, ScotRail Customer Operations Director, said: “We’re delighted the Scottish Government’s free companion rail travel scheme for visually impaired people is being made permanent and proud to be able to play our part in improving the customer experience for people who are blind or have a visual impairment.
“This is a major step towards empowering people to be able to travel with confidence and independence, making train journeys safer and more welcoming for everyone. ScotRail is committed to ensuring the railway works for all of our customers, and the scheme is part of our wider efforts to improve accessibility across our network.”
For more information visit sightscotland.org.uk.
ScotRail fares will be frozen for the next year to keep money in people’s pockets, First Minister John Swinney has announced.
The First Minister said this is part of the government’s resolute focus on the cost of living, and follows the abolition of peak fares which cut costs by as much as 48%.
The freeze will apply to all ScotRail fares, including Season tickets and Flexipass.
Speaking at Edinburgh Waverley station, the First Minister said: “I know the cost of living crisis is still hurting people across Scotland – and this government is determined to take action to support people wherever we can.
“Freezing rail fares is an important way for us to keep people’s costs down and keep more money in their pockets.
“This follows the removal of peak fares for good across ScotRail services – which brought fares down by up to 48%.
“The Scottish Government is resolutely focused on supporting people with the cost of living – and food, electricity and other costs continue to rise, we are taking action to keep the costs of people’s commute down.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “We have implemented this freeze to maintain the attractiveness and affordability of rail.
“From September last year, Scotland became the only part of the UK to remove peak fares, the biggest reform to rail fares in decades.
“With lower fares, more staff than ever before, and growing passengers and services numbers, we are delivering on our aim to make Scotland’s publicly owned operator an even greater success.”
The first road safety strategy in more than a decade will save thousands of lives on the nation’s roads by tackling drink driving, improving training for young drivers and introducing mandatory eye tests for older motorists.
Launched today (7 January 2026), the strategy sets out an ambitious plan to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads by 65% by 2035, with an even more stretching target of 70% for children under 16.
Approximately 4 people die on Britain’s roads every day, with thousands more seriously injured each year, but through targeted action on speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing seat belts and mobile phone use, thousands of these tragedies can be prevented.
The government will consult on lowering the drink drive limit in England and Wales, which has remained unchanged since 1967 and is currently the highest in Europe.
In 2023, 1 in 6 road fatalities involved drink driving, but a consultation will explore the use of preventative technology, such as alcohol interlock devices and new powers to suspend driving licences for those suspected of drink or drug driving offences.
This could mean that, in future, some drink drive offenders might be required to have one of these devices fitted to their vehicle as a condition of being allowed to drive again.
With the number of older drivers continuing to rise as Britain’s population ages, a consultation on mandatory eyesight testing for those over 70 will be launched, while options for cognitive testing will also be developed to protect all road users.
New measures will also target the growing problem of illegal number plates, including ‘ghost’ plates designed to fool camera systems, while also cracking down on uninsured drivers and vehicles without a valid MOT.
Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, said: “Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy that devastates families and communities. For too long, progress on road safety has stalled. This strategy marks a turning point.
“We are taking decisive action to make our roads safer for everyone, from new drivers taking their first lessons to older motorists wanting to maintain their independence. The measures we are announcing today will save thousands of lives over the coming decade.”
Local Transport Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said: “Our vision with this ambitious road safety strategy is clear: to ensure that people can travel safely on our roads however they choose.
“One of the hardest parts of my job is speaking to families who have lost loved ones on our roads and this is something we as a government are taking action to prevent. No family should have to endure that loss, and this strategy sets out how we will work to ensure fewer do.
“Experts and campaigners have long called for a comprehensive strategy that treats road safety as a shared responsibility – from car manufacturers and town planners to drivers and legislators.
“This strategy, the first in over a decade, shows a government that is not just listening, but leading and together, we can build a safer future for all road users.”
Independent road safety campaigner, Meera Naran MBE, whose 8-year-old son Dev died in a road traffic collision, said: “I welcome this much-anticipated road safety strategy and am pleased to see a number of measures set out to reduce road deaths and serious injuries.
“I am especially grateful to the Secretary of State for giving me her word that she would honour Dev and recognise the importance of legislative change to adopt the General Safety Regulations, as Dev’s Law and for delivering on that commitment.
“I look forward to working closely with the department to ensure that the appropriate steps are taken to establish a robust and effective framework.”
Over the past decade, 22 European countries have made more progress than the UK in reducing road fatalities, causing Britain to slip from third to fourth in European road safety rankings.
This strategy, therefore, sets out a new approach to reverse a decade of stalled progress. The bold strategy adopts the internationally recognised Safe System approach, which acknowledges that while human error is inevitable, deaths and serious injuries are not.
Rather than placing responsibility solely on individual drivers, the system ensures that road design, vehicle safety, enforcement and education work together to protect all road users.
A new Road Safety Investigation Branch will analyse collision patterns and inform prevention strategies, drawing on linked police and healthcare data to identify root causes and target interventions more effectively.
The strategy also mandates 18 new vehicle safety technologies, including autonomous emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. This will ensure drivers and road users in Great Britain benefit from access to these cutting-edge technologies and support growth by requiring manufacturers to meet the same requirements across Europe.
Edmund King OBE, Director of The AA Charitable Trust and AA president, said: “This is a positively radical reframing of road safety, which is long overdue. We commend the government for its wide ranging and ambitious strategy and ambitious targets, which we hope will save the lives of thousands of people.
“Tackling drivers who drive under the influence of drink or drugs, people who don’t wear their seatbelts and those getting behind the wheel without insurance are key to reducing road deaths and serious injuries. We also endorse the mantra of road safety being a lifelong education, not just when learning to ride or drive.”
IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Standards, Nicholas Lyes, said: “After what can be described as a lost decade in terms of reducing the number of killed and seriously injured on the roads, we welcome the government’s commitment to ambitious targets and robust policies to make our roads safer.
“The strategy focuses on all key aspects, including behaviours, training, vehicle technology and enforcement – all of which play a crucial role in keeping us safe on the road. An emphasis on younger drivers and motorcycle safety is particularly positive, considering these are some of our most vulnerable road users.
“We’re also pleased to see action being taken on drug driving, which is a growing menace and by giving police additional powers to take action against those caught at the roadside, it will serve notice that such dangerous behaviours will not be tolerated.”
A new Road Safety Board, chaired by the Minister for Local Transport, will oversee delivery of the strategy, supported by an expert advisory panel drawing membership from local authorities, emergency services, active travel groups and road safety organisations.
Vulnerable road users remain a key focus. Motorcyclists account for just 1% of motor vehicle traffic but 21% of road deaths, while children from the most deprived neighbourhoods face 4 times the pedestrian casualty rate of those in the least deprived areas. To address these disparities, the strategy includes consulting on reforms to motorcycle training, testing and licensing and supporting trials to improve motorcycle safety on rural roads.
An estimated 1 in 3 road traffic fatalities involves someone driving or riding for work, prompting the launch of a National Work-Related Road Safety Charter pilot. This will establish a national standard for employers requiring people to drive or ride for work, covering HGVs, vans, cars, motorcycles, e-cycles and cycles. It aims to help businesses in both the public and private sectors reduce work-related road risk by promoting good practice, accountability and compliance with existing legislation.
The success of this strategy depends on strong partnerships between government, local authorities, businesses, road safety professionals, emergency services and the public working together to ensure that every journey starts and ends safely.
RAC road safety spokesperson, Rod Dennis, said: “We’ve long said the dial needs to be turned up when it comes to reducing road casualties, so we warmly welcome this strategy – and especially the reintroduction of casualty reduction targets, that were scrapped 16 years ago.
“The simple truth is that this strategy can’t come soon enough. Britain might have some of the safest roads by international standards, but on average, 4 people are still killed and 76 seriously injured every single day. That’s an unacceptable number of lives being ruined or cut short.
“The strategy addresses many areas we know drivers are concerned about, including drink and drug-driving, ‘ghost’ plates and dazzling headlights. The inclusion of a commitment to consult on the use of alcohol interlocks for convicted drink-drivers – which are internationally proven to save lives – is particularly encouraging, especially given the extent to which drivers are supportive of their use.
“It’s also positive to see proposals on the table for both improving young driver safety and tackling the scourge of uninsured drivers who push up motor insurance costs for everyone.
“It’s important to remember that the ultimate success of any new or updated penalties or laws will depend on awareness among drivers and enforcement.
“But undoubtedly, this strategy is a real chance to give the whole topic of road safety the focus and public attention it deserves. What we need now is for it to quickly evolve into a set of concrete actions that make the roads safer for everyone.”
Millions of discounted train tickets for half-term activities, weekend getaways and commuting will be up for grabs next week. The week-long Great British Rail Sale, running from 6 to 12 January 2026, will give passengers the chance to save well over 50% on many advance and off-peak tickets.
The reduced fares can be used to travel on thousands of popular routes between 13 January and 25 March 2026. Nearly all train operators are taking part, with routes spanning the length and breadth of Britain.
For those looking to visit museums or schedule meetings in the capital, £10 journeys are on offer from south coast destinations like Portsmouth to London Waterloo – that’s a 59% saving. Or for those planning a quick getaway abroad, journeys from Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport will cost just £1.20, down from £2.90.
The sale comes as the government eases the cost of living for hard-working people by freezing rail fares for the first time in 30 years.
The government is also bringing in major reform to Britain’s rail services by establishing Great British Railways (GBR) – the new, nationalised organisation to run the railway. GBR will bring together 17 different organisations under a single directing mind, cutting through bureaucracy to deliver a rail network that passengers can rely on and be proud of.
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “The Rail Sale is back – and it means further discounts for passengers as we freeze rail fares for the first time in 3 decades to help ease the cost of living.
“We all want to see cheaper rail travel, so whether you’re planning a half-term getaway, or visiting friends or family, this sale offers huge reductions. It’s all part of our plans to build a railway owned by the public, that works for the public.”
This is the fourth year of the Rail Sale, with last year’s sale saving passengers around £8 per journey. Last year, over 1 million tickets were sold, bringing in over £9 million in ticket sale revenue for the industry.
Travelling by train remains one of the quickest and greenest ways to get around, with the government committed to getting more people onto the railways, cutting carbon emissions and freeing up vital space on our roads for emergency services and freight.
Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and CEO of Rail Delivery Group, said: “The Rail Sale gives people even more reasons to choose rail, whether it’s reconnecting with loved ones or exploring new places. Rail continues to play a vital role in the lives of millions, supporting local economies and offering a more sustainable way to travel.
“This year’s Rail Sale will offer millions of discounted advance fares across the network from 6 January, giving customers the chance to save on journeys big and small. By making rail travel more accessible, we hope even more people will enjoy the convenience and comfort of travelling by rail.”
Patricia Yates, CEO of VisitBritain, said: “The new year provides the perfect opportunity to hop onto a train and explore Britain’s great tourism treasures sustainably, boosting the economy by supporting our fantastic visitor experiences and attractions.
“Whether it’s a cultural break in one of our vibrant regional cities, a set jetting stay at a world-famous filming backdrop or the friendly welcome from our picturesque coastal and rural destinations, Britain has something for everyone to enjoy, creating memories of a lifetime for visitors.”
The City of Edinburgh Council is set to decide on introducing year-round parking controls in Portobello, based on surveys conducted during peak tourism months – despite widespread community opposition and the possibility of a legal challenge if the proposals proceed.
The Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) Sub-Committee will meet on 16 December to consider a recently published report recommending that councillors advance the TRO, despite the vast majority of consultation responses opposing the scheme, and with more than 1,900 people having signed a petition calling for its rejection.
Jane Grant, Chair of the local Traders Association, which represents over 50 small businesses, said: “The Council is pushing forward with a plan that will pile yet more financial pressure on already struggling households and lead to fewer people shopping locally.
“If approved, these parking controls will damage a vibrant and welcoming seaside community, make it harder for disabled people and those with caring needs to live fulfilling lives, and force more working class families to leave the area.
“As local residents and business owners we have tried to engage with the Council at every stage and will continue to do so, but if this poorly-designed and unwanted parking plan goes ahead we reserve the right to challenge its legality and process by which the Council has designed this plan.
“We are a strong and united community and will not allow the Council to ignore local people and impose these measures unchallenged.”
A local campaign group, Portobello and Joppa Residents & Businesses Against CPZ claim that the Council’s data used to justify year-round parking restrictions is flawed, inconsistent, and unrepresentative.
In a letter to the committee members (see below), issued ahead of the vote, the group highlighted that the surveys were conducted only in June and September – at the height of seasonal, temporarily heightened traffic levels, and the methodology behind the parking “heat map” remains undisclosed, with no clarity on data sources, weighting, or modelling applied.
The campaigners also highlight that Saturday parking analysis relies on just two survey days, both during peak visitor periods and unusually warm weather conditions. They assert that drawing conclusions about typical Saturday parking from such a small sample is statistically unreliable.
Furthermore, ongoing roadworks during the survey period distorted normal parking patterns, casting further doubt on the data’s reliability.
Local campaigner and resident Nikki Middleton said: “Although the Council report claims sixteen survey events, the actual data covers only seven days, with no surveys in winter, poor weather, or during term-time.
“Summer surveys, conducted during peak tourism months, have been used to justify this scheme, yet no explanation has been provided on how seasonal bias was accounted for.
“Portobello’s year-round parking pressures are very different from the summer months. This is not only unethical but goes against every principle of good governance and objective data validation.”
The proposals suggest implementing parking controls in the western part of the proposed Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ), while the eastern section (Joppa) would be reviewed within the first year.
In practice, this allows council officers to introduce controls in the eastern areas without further legal process if deemed “necessary,” effectively keeping the door open to expand the scheme at any time, but preventing proper scrutiny and input from local people.
Nikki Middleton added: “The Council pretends to reduce the CPZ boundary, but in reality, they are only temporarily shrinking it while leaving the door wide open to extend it back to their original plans within a year – a cynical ploy intended to gather more cash from local people already struggling amid a cost of living crisis.”
The proposals also adjust CPZ operating hours to Monday–Saturday, 08:30–17:30, removing Sunday restrictions – an apparent attempt, the campaigners argue, to soften public perception without addressing core concerns.
The Council received 2,341 consultation responses. While the report acknowledges strong community opposition, it omits the exact percentage of objections.
The most significant concerns cited include the cost of parking – described by about 35% of respondents as “unaffordable, unwanted, excessive, or penalising residents”- and over 15% expressing the belief that the scheme is a money-making exercise for the Council.
Nikki Middleton added: “While the Council insists this isn’t about revenue, the report itself confirms that, after operational costs, the Portobello CPZ is expected to generate an annual surplus of around £500,000.”
Community members, traders, and campaigners continue to call on the public to attend the Sub-Committee meeting next week and urge the Council to halt the CPZ proposals and respect the clear, overwhelming opposition of those who live, work, and spend time in Portobello.
BALFOUR Beattie started work on the West Edinburgh Link this week (December 3). The West Edinburgh Link (WEL) will transform provision for cycling, walking, and accessibility around one of Scotland’s key business parks, whilst better connecting local communities to places of work, retail, leisure, and education.
WEL will also link up with key active travel routes to the city centre, including Quiet Route 8, the Union Canal and the Water of Leith Path.
Some of the work the city council is undertaking in the first phase includes new segregated cycleways on South Gyle Access and Bankhead Avenue, along with widening, surfacing, and improving lighting on the Torwood Path.
Full details on phase one and the wider project are available on the city council’s website.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “It’s brilliant to see this new work getting underway in the west of the city.
“Properly connecting our communities and encouraging our residents to travel in more sustainable and healthy ways remain key priorities for us. WEL is an important project under our ambitious City Mobility Plan as we keep Edinburgh moving.
“From revitalising active travel provision on the Torwood Path to improving access to Edinburgh College at Sighthill, alongside a host of other improvements, I’ve no doubt that local people will experience real benefits once this transformational project is complete.”
The works are expected to last until Summer 2026.
The Cockburn Association, Edinburgh’s oldest civic society, is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the city’s heritage, landscape, and quality of life. We welcome the opportunity to contribute to the City of Edinburgh Council’s consultation on the proposed tram extension, and we appreciate the constructive dialogue with the Future Trams Team throughout this process, as well as their commitment to public consultation.
The Cockburn Association remains committed to supporting a transport future that is sustainable, inclusive, affordable, efficient, and sensitive to Edinburgh’s unique historic environment.
As the City faces the challenges of the housing crisis and increasing congestion and works towards the laudable ambition of Net Zero by 2030, it is vital that any transport solution alleviates these pressures and complements the city’s existing asset base of spectacular heritage, civic amenities, existing transport networks and public green space.
As both a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh deserves a bold vision for the future, and one which seeks to address the City’s challenges.
Though we understand that the Future Trams Team have undertaken much detailed work in preparation of this consultation, we consider that the evidence base is, as yet, insufficient to explain and justify why an investment of such magnitude, and the inevitable years of disruption to resident and commercial communities is the best option for the City.
Given the far-reaching and multigenerational impact of this development, we have sought the views of our members on the proposed tram extension. Of those who responded, respondents supported the general principle of extending Edinburgh’s transport network; however, concerns were expressed about the execution and governance of tram projects to date, with particular reference to the multiyear disruption on Leith Walk.
Any transport extension must be developed in close alignment with the City Mobility Plan, City Plan 2030, the Active Travel Action Plan, the 2030 Climate Strategy and the Local Place Plans. Together, these frameworks set out a shared vision for a sustainable, inclusive, and people-centred city, which capitalises on its historic and natural assets, and preserves and enhances them for future generations.
At this strategic stage, detailed design information, including street-level treatments, traffic management, pedestrian and cycling provision, and heritage impact assessments have yet to emerge. We therefore reserve detailed comment until these plans are available. Nonetheless, we emphasise that heritage, landscape quality, and local character must remain central to the design process.
We are aware of concerns about the capacity of South Bridge to carry modern trams and the need for independent assurance of its ability to accommodate such loads without risk to this Category A-listed structure within the World Heritage Site.
These issues reinforce the importance of thorough engineering and heritage assessments before finalising any proposed routes.
The Cockburn Association is committed to engaging constructively as the proposals develop. We offer our expertise in heritage, planning, and civic matters to help shape a transport system that enhances Edinburgh’s sustainability, accessibility, and distinctive sense of place.
We look forward to contributing to future stages of consultation and to continuing to advocate for a transport network that supports residents and local businesses while respecting the historic fabric of our city.
The Cockburn Association thanks the City of Edinburgh Council and the Future Trams Team for the opportunity to participate in this important consultation and welcomes further dialogue to ensure that future proposals deliver lasting benefits for Edinburgh’s people, heritage, and urban environment.
Want to know more?
Readers interested in exploring the Cockburn Association’s long-standing engagement with Edinburgh’s transport landscape in greater depth are encouraged to purchase our 150th Anniversary publication, Campaigning for Edinburgh.
This richly illustrated volume traces the Association’s historic role in shaping the city’s civic and infrastructural development, including its sustained involvement in debates around city-wide transport and urban mobility.
The publication is available to order here:
Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee has launched an inquiry investigating the strategic and economic case for improved fixed transport links between Scotland’s islands.
Transport connectivity is a major challenge for Scotland’s islands, with many island communities currently being connected via ferry services. This lack of fixed-link connectivity can restrict economic development.
Fixed links to connect the islands, such as bridges or tunnels, are increasingly being considered as long-term solutions. For example, Shetland’s Island Council has approved a feasibility study into building tunnels into undersea tunnel connections.
Fixed link infrastructure like this has been a success in the Faroe Islands, an archipelago 200 miles further into the Atlantic than the Shetland Islands, which has been building undersea tunnels since the 1960s.
Scotland’s islands have been highlighted as a key region for economic growth, due to their clean energy, tourism and space sectors.
As momentum grows at a local level, the cross-party committee could examine the economic case for these fixed link projects and the UK Government’s potential strategic interest in supporting this infrastructure.
Full terms of reference are available on the committee website.
Submissions can be made via the committee’s website until 12 December 2025.
Connectivity is a crucial issue affecting communities across Scotland, particularly those in remote, rural and island areas, where infrastructure delivery is complex and costly.
Alongside this inquiry into physical connectivity, the committee will shortly be launching an inquiry into digital connectivity.
Patricia Ferguson, Chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee, said: “Current transport links between Scotland’s islands simply don’t seem to be up to scratch. Delayed and cancelled ferries cause disruption for entire communities, and undoubtedly also pose huge barriers to the development of island economies.
“Fixed link infrastructure projects like undersea tunnels could be transformational for Scotland’s island communities.
“Throughout this inquiry, we’ll be looking closely at the economic case for these fixed link projects, their value for money and, ultimately, whether there could be a strategic interest for the UK Government to support their development.”
Train passengers across Great Britain will start to see new ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ posters and hear updated announcements from today (16 September 2025), marking the campaign’s first major refresh in a decade.
Since the campaign’s launch in 2016, reports to BTP’s 61016 text service have increased more than eightfold to 255,088 a year – helping to improve the safety of travellers across the rail network.
To make reporting even easier, posters have had a makeover to clearly display the 61016 text number, and the renowned ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ train and station announcements have had an upgrade to make their wording clearer.
The new campaign is designed to help passengers more easily spot when something doesn’t look right, by explicitly showing and telling them what this could be, like an unattended bag, or someone accessing an area they shouldn’t.
The Government is also providing a nearly £17 million funding boost so Network Rail can make improvements to enhance police access to CCTV from railway stations. This will enable BTP officers to have more access to real-time footage from across the railway and help to identify offenders as quickly as possible, supporting the Government’s Plan for Change by making our streets safer.
The Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, is meeting British Transport Police (BTP) Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi at London Victoria to unveil the renewed campaign and hear about how it helps passengers report to the BTP.
Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, said: “‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ isn’t just an earworm that’s been the soundtrack to our trains for nearly a decade now – it’s a really important security and public safety campaign.
“It plays a crucial role in making our railways safe, and this refresh will help spread its message to even more people.
“We’re committed to making our railway as secure as possible, which is why we’re also improving CCTV connectivity, to help police identify offenders and bring them to justice faster – particularly key as we work towards our goal of halving violence against women and girls in the next decade.”
BTP Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi said: “Our officers are out across the railway network 24/7 working to keep the public safe – but ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ reminds us that passengers and rail staff also have a vital role to play in being our eyes and ears.
“Our pioneering 61016 text service is a simple and discreet way to report crime across the rail network, and thanks to the ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ campaign, you can save 61016 in your phone today and contact BTP immediately if something doesn’t feel right on your journey.
“Over 1 million 61016 texts have been sent since its introduction in 2013 – so I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the public for continuing to help us create a network of vigilance. Trust your instincts and text us on 61016.”
Security Minister, Dan Jarvis, said: “‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ has become part of the national consciousness – whether you’re commuting into work or waiting for a coffee at the station, we’re all familiar with the message.
“As we relaunch the campaign, I encourage everyone to look out for one another, trust your instincts and if something doesn’t feel right, text British Transport Police on 61016.”
The campaign has also evolved to encourage passengers to report any non-urgent crimes to the BTP, including anything that makes passengers feel unsafe or uncomfortable, helping police keep our railway safe.
For example, in May, a man was jailed after he sexually assaulted three women on trains in London. All three of his victims reported the assaults to the BTP, including by texting 61016, which meant BTP officers could obtain CCTV, identify the perpetrator, and bring him to justice.
The new design marks a new era for the internationally renowned ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ campaign, which launched in 2016 with a focus on counterterrorism. Although it serves a very serious purpose, ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ has also become a cultural phenomenon, entering everyday vocabulary, inspiring punny spinoffs, and even a play of the same name.
Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail’s Sussex route director and crime lead for the southern region, said: “This refreshed campaign will ultimately keep our railway running reliably by encouraging passengers to be our eyes and ears.
“When people speak up, it really helps us respond faster and more effectively to keep everything on time.
“It’s all part of a wider range of measures we’re taking to keep people safe and of our shared commitment to getting everyone home safe everyday.”
Siwan Hayward, TfL’s Director of Security, Policing and Enforcement, said:”For a decade, the ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ campaign has been instrumental in encouraging public vigilance and providing a simple way for our customers to take action to keep our railways network safe.
“British Transport Police’s 61016 text service provides an easy and accessible way for passengers to report crime, any unusual behaviour, or anything that makes them feel unsafe. 61016 remains central to our shared commitment that every journey in London is safe and feels safe.
“We’re proud to be working alongside the BTP, the Department for Transport, and other partners as we launch the next phase of this important campaign across our network.”
Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and CEO of Rail Delivery Group, said: “The safety and wellbeing of both our rail customers and frontline workers is a top priority across industry.
“That’s why we want everyone to feel confident in knowing that they can use 61016 to report anything that’s inappropriate, doesn’t look right or makes them feel unsafe while they’re on a train or in a station.
“If you report it, rail staff and transport police can sort it.”
