NO TRACES of Covid-19 have been found on trains travelling through Rugby.
University academics found no signs of the virus during recent tests on trains which stop at Rugby Station, and during testing at Birmingham New Street Street and London Euston stations – both of which connect to Rugby.
Places passengers touch regularly like tables, door buttons, handles and handrails were swabbed, and hour-long air samples were taken during two rounds of testing in June.
All lab tests by Imperial College London showed no Covid-19 contamination of any surface tested or airborne particles of the virus in the two stations, or on trains.
The trains tested were an Avanti West Coast train from London Euston to Birmingham, an Avanti West Coast train from Liverpool Lime Street to London Euston, and a CrossCountry service.
The conclusions from the independent report commissioned by Network Rail say enhanced cleaning methods across the rail industry and widespread wearing of face coverings by passengers are key reasons for the negative results.
Rob Mole, senior programme manager for Network Rail’s Covid response, said: “Station cleaning teams and train staff have made it their mission to keep passengers safe during the pandemic and this is proof their dedicated approach works.
“We want all passengers to travel in confidence on the railway network and we will keep doing our part by rigorously cleaning trains and stations. We ask passengers to do their bit too by wearing face coverings while travelling out of respect for others so we can all stop the spread of Covid-19.”
David Green, senior research fellow at Imperial College London, said: “In the same way that a swab is used to take a Covid-19 test in the nose and throat and sent to the lab, we use a filter to collect any virus particles in the air and swabs to collect viruses on surfaces.
“This approach provides a way of quantifying the amount of virus circulating in these public environments and the effect of mitigation strategies like cleaning and wearing face coverings.
“This is part of a wider programme of work with the public transport sector to understand where this virus is most prevalent so that we can return to pre-pandemic activities as safely as possible.”
Network Rail figures show passengers are steadily returning to Birmingham New Street station, with 2.41million journeys made in June, compared to 742,000 in January – a rise of 225 per cent.
Enhanced cleaning procedures will remain in place with hand sanitiser and face masks available on station concourses to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Passengers who can are expected to wear a face covering in stations and on trains so everyone can travel in confidence.
People should continue to plan ahead, sanitise their hands regularly and open a train window while travelling if possible.
Visit www.networkrail.co.uk/coronavirus for more information about what Network Rail is doing to stop the spread of Covid-19.
