AS the UK marks Rail Safety Week, local rail operator c2c Railway has become the first train operating company (TOC) to partner with personal safety organisation, WalkSafe.
The partnership spans across three stations – Southend Central, Grays and Basildon – and will provide people across c2c’s local communities with enhanced safeguarding assurances, whether they are using the railway at the time or not.
Colleagues from across the recently integrated Anglia region, comprising c2c, Greater Anglia and Network Rail Anglia, gathered for the launch event at Basildon station, including Lee Parlett, Health, Safety, Security and Environment Director for GBR Anglia, Abu Siddeeq, c2c’s Customer Experience Director, Iain Palmer, c2c’s Head of Revenue Protection and Security, and Kamaldeep Wallis, c2c’s Safeguarding and Security Manager, joined Natasha Shenton, WalkSafe’s Account Manager, and Asia Worgan, WalkSafe’s National Sales Manager.
The team then officially launched the partnership by meeting with customers, handing out fliers and raising awareness of the new partnership and the WalkSafe app.
On the WalkSafe app, Southend Central station, Basildon station and Grays station have now become the first integrated GBR Anglia stations designated as safe areas, where users that feel they are in need of assistance or help in any way will be directed to – and where they will find c2c colleagues that are always willing to assist.
This week (15 June – 21 June) marks Rail Safety Week in the UK, which aims to bring rail safety to the forefront of people’s minds.
Walksafe Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Emma Kay, said:
“We’re really pleased to be partnering with c2c to map three of their stations on the WalkSafe Safety Map. This marks an exciting step forward in making everyday journeys feel safer for passengers. As the first TOC we’ve partnered with, c2c are helping set an important precedent for how transport providers can actively support the safety of their passengers when travelling. By integrating these stations into the WalkSafe app, we’re giving people greater confidence and visibility when planning and making their journeys.”
WalkSafe is the UK’s leading personal safety app, which features an interactive safety map and journey sharing features. People who download WalkSafe can use it with family and friends, commuting to and from work, during social activities, on nights out and during exercise.
Lee Parlett, Health, Safety, Security and Environment Director for GBR Anglia, added:
“We are very proud to show our local communities that their safety on or off the train, in or out of a train station is our highest priority. The work that WalkSafe do in improving the personal safety of people across the country is incredible and this new partnership showcases our commitment to everybody in our local communities and beyond. We are excited to see what more opportunities we will have with WalkSafe in the future as the partnership develops.”
Abu Siddeeq, c2c’s Customer Experience Director, said:
“At c2c, we are always looking for new ways to positively impact the lives and safety of the people that live in our local communities. That is why we are delighted to have become the first TOC to partner with WalkSafe.
“Nobody should ever feel unsafe walking along the street, wherever their destination, but we want everybody to know that if they do, they can use the WalkSafe app and be directed to one of our stations, where you will find our colleagues, who are always willing to help.”
Iain Palmer, c2c’s Head of Revenue Protection and Security, said:
“This has been a project that we are delighted to see come to life today with WalkSafe. From when I first saw Emma speak at an event in Birmingham last year to today, where we have become the first train company in the UK to partner with WalkSafe, it just shows the positive steps we are taking to increase safety and provide our local communities with new ways to ensure they can get help whenever possible.”
In November 2025, c2c revealed its White Ribbon train decal during an event at Fenchurch Street station. The decal, alongside c2c’s long standing White Ribbon accreditation, is another example of c2c’s commitment to customer safety and White Ribbon’s goal of ending violence towards women and girls.
