‘Appalling pathways drive walkers onto railway line’
WALKERS have resorted to trespassing on a heritage railway line because of ‘appalling’ pathway conditions, it’s been claimed.
A stark safety warning has been issued to people by the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) asking them to stay off the railway tracks during lockdown.
Walking on the line remains dangerous as maintenance trains are still running, despite it being closed to the public.
However, one walker contacted us to complain of the state of the alternative pathway between Rawtenstall and Irwell Vale.
She said: “Walkers have resorted to using the heritage railway line because it is the lesser of two evils.
“I chose not to continue from Ewood Bridge as I was not prepared to risk the even worse conditions further along the off-road route. It is appalling.
“Us walkers, and let’s face it there are now even more of us due to being encouraged by our government to keep fit by walking locally during the pandemic, have a limited choice of low level routes.”
Rossendale Police have said a works train has encountered numerous people walking the line without high-vis clothing ‘and in clear breach of the law’.
ELR chairman Mike Kelly said: “It is incredibly dangerous and people who walk on the line are putting themselves at grave risk of serious injury and fatality.”
The ELR is now closed until further notice, and once again the public can help ensure it can reopen again by donating to the ELR Support Fund.