Community Safety with Alison Barker

A couple of weeks ago, I trundled up to Barmouth by train to meet with Alison Barker, Network Rail’s Community Safety Manager for Wales and the Borders. I was introduced to her by Janice Mitchell-Rose, Network Rail’s Workforce Health Safety & Environment Coach, which already set the tone for an insightful encounter.

After arriving at Barmouth railway station, and before my upcoming rendezvous with Bekki Stott (more on that in a future post), I met Alison outside the station. Barmouth’s charm was immediately evident: from the busy streets to the unmistakably dog-friendly atmosphere that seemed to greet every visitor with a wagging tail and a friendly bark. We strolled around the corner to a local café, where I settled with a pot of tea and Alison enjoyed a coffee.

Once we were comfortably seated, Alison kicked off our conversation by explaining the breadth of her role. With genuine enthusiasm and warmth, she said:

"I’m Alison Barker and I am a Community Safety Manager at Network Rail. I cover the whole of Wales and the Borders. My role is very varied; for example, one day I might be presenting Rail Safety in a school, and the next I might be at an event like the Eisteddfod. I work with Transport for Wales staff such as School Liaison Officer Kelly Pugh, the British Transport Police, charities, and organisations like the Scouts. I also work with the level crossing team, visiting areas experiencing crossing misuse and trespass, where I take the opportunity to engage with users and encourage safe behaviours around the railway as a whole."

What struck me most about our conversation was Alison’s infectious enthusiasm. It’s clear that she doesn’t just have a job, she has a passion. Her varied responsibilities meant that no two days were alike.

Her words painted a picture of a role that wasn’t confined to a desk or a single location, it was dynamic and deeply rooted in community engagement. Whether she was addressing a classroom full of inquisitive students or navigating the challenges of safety at a local level crossing, Alison’s commitment to empowering communities and fostering safe practices was unmistakable.

For me, it showed that community safety is far more than a set of regulations, it’s a shared responsibility and an opportunity for genuine connection. Through her work, Alison reminds us that safety is cultivated through conversation, education and collaboration with the people who live and interact with our rail networks every day.

I left the café with a renewed sense of appreciation for the dedicated individuals behind the scenes of our everyday journeys and looked forward to being part of it in a small way.