In just four weeks, Network Rail has transformed an old depot in Newport into a state-of-the-art signalling training centre to ensure it has enough railway signallers across Wales and the west throughout the coronavirus crisis.

Signallers play a crucial role in keeping trains moving but require training to allow them to do the job safely.

More than 200 signallers across Wales and the West responded to the recent appeal from Network Rail asking for former signallers to return to work.

The new signalling training centre in Newport will now be used to train new recruits.

Just over a month ago, the rooms at the Crindau depot were mothballed former testing workshops and meeting rooms, but have now been converted into a temporary training facility.

What did the officials say?

Mark Langman, Network Rail’s managing director for Wales and Western, said:

“It is a remarkable achievement that this fully functioning training suite for signallers has been completed in less than a month.

“Under normal circumstances we have enough signallers to keep trains running whatever happens, but these are not normal circumstances and without fully trained signallers it is possible that parts of the network would have to shut.

“I am delighted with the response from former signallers who are willing to return to the railway. Putting the right training and facilities in place means that we can get them back up to speed to help us keep moving essential freight goods, and passengers whose journeys are essential.”

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