Rail Safe Friendly programme extended to keep more local students safe near railways

Published: 26 November 2025

Thanks to funding from Darent Valley Community Rail Partnership (DVCRP), Sevenoaks Town Council has brought vital rail safety education to local students and is now planning to host more workshops for schools.

The Rail Safe Friendly programme is delivered by Learn Live and funded by DVCRP for schools along the Darent Valley railway line. Following the success of last programme, DVCRP will fund the project for another 10 schools.

The Darent Valley Community Rail Partnership covers the six railway stations between Swanley and Sevenoaks, which includes Swanley, Eynsford, Shoreham (Kent), Otford, Bat & Ball and Sevenoaks.

Between September 2024 and September 2025, the DVCRP and Sevenoaks Town Council Rail Safe Friendly programme reached 5,758 young people in 13 local schools by providing resources, videos and workshops.

As part of the programme, Sevenoaks Town Council hosted three workshops at Bat & Ball Station designed to teach young people how to stay safe around the railway, while also offering a fascinating glimpse into the Victorian history of the station.

Learn Live reported that the 2024/25 DVCRP and Sevenoaks Town Council Rail Safe Friendly programme generated £162,836.24 in social value. This figure reflects both the educational impact on young people and the wider benefits of safety awareness within families and community spaces.

Three schools achieved Rail Safe Friendly Silver Certification by extending the programme’s resources to parents and carers. Two schools achieved Gold Certification by hosting a safety talk at the historic Bat & Ball Station, creating opportunities for further youth engagement outside school settings.

There are numerous ways that schools can engage with the upcoming programme, including through resources and videos, PSHE lessons via virtual delivery or interactive workshops at Bat & Ball Station. Any schools interested in this opportunity can email youthwork@sevenoakstown.gov.uk or call Sevenoaks Town Council on 01732 459 953.