24 Jul 2026
An award-winning rail safety campaign by Transport for Wales (TfW) has delivered rail safety education workshops to 50,000 pupils, contributing to a 23% drop in trespass incidents across the South Wales Metro lines.
Launched in summer 2023, the No Second Chances campaign was designed to reduce anti-social behaviour and trespass on the railway, particularly among young people.
At its heart is a simple message; clothes can have a second life. People can’t.
The milestone comes after TfW recently completed the installation of 281.5 miles of live overhead line wires (OLE), carrying 25,000 volts across the Core Valley Lines, meaning that trespassing onto the railway now carries an even greater risk.
By blending behavioural science with immersive storytelling, the campaign is reinforcing its message ahead of the summer months, urging the public to stay off the tracks and stay safe.
Kelsey Barcenilla, Transport for Wales Engagement Manager, said: "Directly engaging with 50,000 pupils through in-school workshops is a significant milestone allowing us to deliver safety messages to the age group where trespassing is most prevalent.
“Alongside our much wider programme of public events, social media and work with ambassadors, we’ve driven a 23% reduction in trespass incidents on the Core Valley Lines.
“This proves we are achieving positive behavioural change, and we'll continue working to make our railway safer for everyone. If any schools across the Cardiff and South Wales Valleys region haven’t yet had our team visit, we encourage you to get in touch."
The educational programme of in-school workshops for 11 – 15 year olds has been delivered in partnership with Bollo, an educational and public sector provider, and has been key in bringing messages directly into classrooms across South Wales.
Pete Walsh, Bollo’s Company Director added:“We have been privileged to be able to deliver these workshops on behalf of TfW and see firsthand the impact that they have on pupils.
“Quite often, many pupils enter the sessions feeling sceptical and even slightly opposed to the subject matter. Yet, by the end it’s quite clear that they are all engaged with the safety messages.
“Feedback in the schools highlights how effective the content and delivery style is for engaging with the pupils and making them realise the real-life dangers of OLE and the railways.”
Notes to editors
The No Second Chances campaign connects with young people through creative activations including pop-up experiences, targeted social campaigns and school workshops.
TfW’s creative partner Golley Slater played a crucial role in shaping the campaign and helped TfW reach younger audiences effectively.
Their work with influencers has been particularly important, ensuring safety messages are delivered in authentic voices across platforms like TikTok and Instagram. This approach has helped engage audiences that could not be reached through traditional channels alone, generating strong engagement and visibility.
Reaching 50,000 pupils is an important milestone because it highlights the scale of behavioural change being driven in communities across Wales. Every pupil reached is another step towards safer journeys and a reminder of the impact that can be achieved when insight, creativity and collaboration are combined.
Certain parts of the railway, including stations, underpasses, and level crossings, are open to the public. However, trespassing is a crime, and offenders could be taken to court to face a fine of up to £1,000.
