Paul Barlow

Said the following about Cambridge drivers:

“Cambridge drivers. I would like to nominate the Cambridge driver team for the RailStaff Safety Team Award.

Cambridge is a well-established CrossCountry depot with 37 drivers based there. Everyone at the depot is immensely passionate about safety.

Each year CrossCountry holds a safety culture survey to understand the level of focus on safety in each depot and, for the past several years, Cambridge has achieved the highest response rate and safety culture score within the business.

The survey is not the only measure of success, the depot has not had a SPAD for over 15 years which is unprecedented in the industry. Recently they were recognised by our MD Tom Joyner and ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan for their exceptional safety record and were awarded a prestigious CrossCountry safety award. This collaboration between CrossCountry and ASLEF, despite challenging times, shows the scale of this achievement and we’re all extremely proud of the team’s efforts (photo attached).

The Health and Safety reps at the depot are continuously highlighting safety risks to Network Rail and working collaboratively to tackle vegetation and trespasser risks. Recently, Cambridge Driver Dan Browning highlighted a trespasser safety risk at Syston involving young teenagers, Network Rail was able to intervene to prevent any further risk or reoccurrences, potentially saving lives due to these actions (Video included).

Last October, the depot once again highlighted its focus on safety when one of our Turbostar trains experienced a low-speed derailment after leaving the maintenance depot. Unfortunately, a maintenance worker had left a derailer in place as the unit left the maintenance shed. Due to the quick actions of the driver, the unit only derailed a few feet at low speed. I do not doubt that a more serious incident was prevented due to the depot's focus on safety which has improved the awareness of our drivers (photo attached).

Every day the team showcases their passion for safety. They’re always looking for ways to make our railways safer, it is for this reason, that the industry should recognise their efforts by awarding the team the RailStaff Safety Team Award.“

Andy Wells

Said the following about Cambridge drivers:

“On the 30th June 2023, Cambridge Drivers had an event where they were recognized for their fantastic safety record and in particular the fact that the Cambridge Drivers had gone since November 2007 without a Category 'A' SPAD.

The Cambridge Drivers' attitude and application to safety standards and culture has improved year after year and now is able to maintain its excellent safety of line record because of this.

To commemorate the event several colleagues gathered to hear a short talk from Tom Joyner the Managing Director along with John Robson Regional Director for EMEA who was also supported by Mick Whelan General Secretary of ASLEF who made special time to attend. A plaque was unveiled to mark this milestone and is displayed in the entrance lobby at the depot.

This achievement is not about luck but my Drivers’ unwavering dedication to ensuring the safety of everyone including colleagues and passengers alike.

Without the collective efforts from my Driver Assessor, Driver Instructor, Mentor Drivers, Union and H&S reps, and of course all of the Drivers, we would not have achieved this outstanding and unprecedented statistic.

I am proud that I manage Cambridge Drivers and I would like to thank each of them for their dedication and hard work over the years being recognised for this by being nominated for the Rail Team of the Year is the icing on the cake for me as their manager.“