Published on : Saturday, August 16, 2014
The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Paschal Donohoe TD today joined Cabra for Youth Street Art Group who spray painted fencing panels at Broombridge Railway Station.
The panels painted by the group, who comprise of young artists aged between 16 and 19, will include quotes and imagery encouraging positive health and recreation choices for young people, along the platform on both sides of the Station.
This is the latest phase in a community partnership involving the Gardaí, Residential Groups, Youth Groups and the Rail Company, which has seen significant improvements in the Broombridge Station area and reductions in levels of anti-social behavior.
The station has had a consistent issue with anti-social behavior over a number of years. However, in recent months, a programme of initiatives, funded by the National Transport Authority has been put in place, including:
Improved CCTV, public lighting and seating at the station
A clean up week, with the support of DIT Students
Providing facilities on the station property for the local kayaking club
Environmental improvements through gardening and planting waste ground area
Garda monitoring, and successful prosecutions of offenders
As well as improving the station environment, the programme of initiatives has seen anti-social behaviour incidents in the stations area reduce by over 50% in recent months.
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, said: ‘Ensuring that our young people have positive outlets and a means of expressing themselves is key to facilitating them in making the right choices. This initiative will allow a positive message to be sent out about the pride Broombridge takes in ensuring that anti-social behavior is tackled’.
“I commend all those who have come together and worked so hard to bring this initiative to life as it will have a tremendous impact on the young people involved and on the wider community. Earlier this year the Government launched a national plan on corporate responsibility and I am delighted that Iarnród Éireann is publishing its Corporate Social Responsibility statement today to ensure that it continues to strive to be a better corporate citizen. Cabra Youth Group is not only helping Broombridge to overcome some of the challenges it has faced in the past, it is inspiring other communities to follow suit.”
Niall Counihan, co-ordinator of Cabra Community Policing Forum said “The onsite forum meeting held at Broombridge Station highlighted the value of partnership approach which includes all stakeholders can have. The fact that this meeting was attended by Iarnrod Eireann CEO Mr. David Franks, senior Gardai, DIT Management, local youth services, local CDP, local residents, elected City Councillors and Oireachtas members means that with the sustained efforts of all, Broombridge could be transformed into a station to be appreciated and used by residents of the entire area, indeed an increase in footfall has already been observed since the process began.”
Philip Möll, Youth Justice Worker, Cabra for Youth said “we are currently working with a small group of young people aged 16-19 to produce Street Art for the Broombridge Station. The Project has been a great opportunity not only to challenge how the young people use the station but also to explore what messages they wish to portray (for everyone who uses and passes through the station). Their work has included quotes, encouragement of more positive choices (health and recreation) and positive imagery. It was agreed with Iarnród Éireann that we could use the metal panels within the fencing which run the length of the platform, because of the number of panels it is hoped we’ll be able to continue with other groups in the future”.
To coincide with this, Iarnród Éireann is also publishing its Corporate Social Responsibility statement, detailing commitments on community, environment, safety, and how the company conducts its business.
Tom Ayres, District Manager for Iarnród Éireann said ”Broombridge has been an area where we have had many difficulties in recent years, including vandalism and trespass. However, it is an important transport link for the local community, and we were delighted to work with the local community to develop these initiatives. While we have by no means eliminated the problem of anti-social behavior, the success to date and the engagement from young people is extremely encouraging, and we will continue these efforts.
The publication of the Corporate Social Responsibility statement today is very appropriate, as Broombridge represents how we want to connect with our surrounds, with the people who live and work adjacent to the railway line, and use our services on a daily basis. The CSR statement also includes commitments on how we will minimise our impact on the environment, and how we will conduct our business sustainably, ethically and with respect to all our stakeholders”.
Source:- Dttas
Tags: DTTAS
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