‘Stay off the tracks’ during lockdown warnings reissued by heritage lines
SEVERAL heritage railways have issued public safety warnings about trespassing on tracks while services are suspended during lockdown.
East Lancashire Railway chairman Mike Kelly said that walking on the line remains dangerous as maintenance trains are still running, despite it being closed to the public.
Rossendale Police issued a statement which said: “Although passenger trains are currently suspended, the track is still being used by a works train, which has encountered numerous people walking the line without hi-vis clothing and in clear breach of the law.”
Mike added: “We were extremely disappointed to hear of further trespassing incidents that have recently taken place, despite repeated safety warnings.
“Trespassing on railway tracks is a criminal offence for good reason. It is incredibly dangerous and people who walk on the line are putting themselves at grave risk.”
The Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch and Swindon & Cricklade railways have also warned about the dangers of trespassing. Trespassers on the latter uploaded pictures of themselves walking on tracks at Taw Valley Halt to social media, and the railway officials subsequently forwarded them to police.
The line plans to install CCTV and introduce round-the-clock security patrols – some of which use locomotives.
During heavy rain in January, the Nene Valley Railway urged walkers to stay off the tracks to avoid floodwaters in Ferry Meadows and Nene Park.