New safety campaign highlights rail dangers

Transport police are warning about a rise in children crossing railway lines as a survey found a fifth of teenagers do not think tracks are dangerous.

In the last year, seven people under the age of 18 have lost their lives and a further 48 people have suffered life-changing injuries on railway lines across the UK.

A survey for British Transport Police and Network Rail found 20 per cent of teenagers do not think tracks or overhead lines are dangerous, while 15 per cent think it is safe to walk on tracks if you check a rail timetable.

The industry has launched a new campaign – entitled You Vs Train – which aims to highlight the dangers to young people and the risk of ignoring warnings.

The campaign features Tom Hubbard, who suffered third-degree burns across 57 per cent of his body in 2014 when he came into contact with overhead power cables.

It will include adverts on social media and in cinemas, while a school engagement programme will also take officers into classrooms.

British Transport Police Scotland chief inspector Davie Gray said: “We hope that young people who might have previously considered trespassing on the railways will think twice.

“We want his story to be heard – the tracks are not a playground. They’re incredibly dangerous.”