Aspect p8
29/9/15
16:10
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SAFETY
matters By Operations and Safety Director
Claire Mann
We all have a part to play in rugby spectacle AS you read this we will be well into the Rugby World Cup and the challenge of moving all the fans around our network. It is all about team work as we are all in this together with games being held in Cardiff, Gloucester, Birmingham and Manchester – so no matter if you are based in Cardiff, Holyhead or Pwllheli you have a key part to play. Talking about team work the safety champions are really having an impact on the business as they are helping us to improve our safety culture and think about what we can do to look out for each other. We have now delivered the workshops to more than 900 people and we continue to run the sessions all around the network. The team and programme have been shortlisted for the National Rail Awards so let’s keep our fingers crossed for an award for Arriva Trains Wales. As autumn looms it is essential that everyone remains vigilant and reports any unsafe conditions such as slip, trip and fall hazards with leaves and wet platforms as well as low rail adhesion. Getting these reports in promptly will help us to maintain a safe and punctual railway and we can feed back in to Network Rail if additional measures need to be taken. Finally I am really pleased to see the new entrance and facilities at Cardiff Central station open after months of work. The new Traincrew mess room facilities are long overdue and I really hope that everyone enjoys having somewhere fresh and new to relax in.
8
ASPECT Autumn 2015
World cup journey starts by VIP train T
HE Welsh rugby team taking part in the Rugby World Cup travelled to their final training camp courtesy of a specially-chartered Arriva Trains Wales service. The dietary requirements of the 70-strong squad were met by special catering on the Premier Service after it left Cardiff Central to travel north. Before the players arrived at Colwyn Bay Ben Davies of Arriva Trains Wales for three days welcomes the Wales Rugby World training at Parc Eirias, Cup Squad to Colwyn Bay Station. they had at their disposal 35 kg of capped scrum-half for Wales – cottage pie, 56 litres of soup, it was a strange experience for 70 fresh avocados and 280 me to be organising the train chicken breasts. The squad and seeing him off from included Mike Phillips, brother Cardiff with his team mates.” of Finance Director and Sports On arrival at Colwyn Bay the Champion Rob Phillips. players, coaches and Rob said:“My brother who management were officially has been recalled to the squad welcomed in a ceremony holds the record as the most
outside the station. Martyn Brennan, Arriva Trains Wales Rugby World Cup Project Manager, said “We were excited to be connecting the Wales Rugby Squad to what is important to them and supporting their successful World Cup journey.”
Cycle marathon raises £2,500 CARING fundraisers cycled through the mountains of Snowdonia during a 225-mile Holyhead-Cardiff trip. Setting out from Holyhead on a Friday morning, they divided their route into three stages to reach their destination on the Sunday night. In total £2,500 was raised for Ty Hafan children’s hospice in South Wales and Oakland’s House disabled children’s respite centre in Newport. The sum was match-funded by Arriva Trains Wales. It was the second time the Holyhead-Cardiff bike ride has been held – but this time the numbers were greater and four company directors took part. Matt Prosser, Rob Phillips, Mike Tapscott and Gareth Thomas were among the riders who travelled by train up to Holyhead to begin the marathon ride. On the Machynlleth to Abergavenny section on the second day the biggest challenge was 5,500 feet of climbing steep roads through Snowdonia. “Everybody thoroughly enjoyed the adventure,” said organiser Ian Reiffer,
Operations Assurance Manager whose son Lewis, aged 15, attends both the centres benefiting from the donations. “The cause is close to my heart – we are now hoping to make the ride an annual event.” ● Our picture shows, left to right, Finance Director Rob Phillips, Operations Standards Manager Dean Katchi, Operations Assurance Manager Ian Reiffer and Driver Performance Manager Gareth Jones.