Fears for young rail trespassers as line electrified

CONCERNS for young people’s lives have been raised as rail electrification work progresses.

Last year alone there were 524 reported incidents of trespassing on railways in Wales, more than one every day and an all-time high.

Andy Thomas, route managing director for Network Rail Wales, said: “Every April we see a huge rise in the number of people taking a risk on the rail network as it’s worrying that these numbers seem to be going up.

“It may seem harmless to take a short cut, or fun to play on the tracks, but this is not only illegal, it is also very dangerous.

“As the railway gets busier and we electrify the South Wales Mainline to improve services, we must work harder to keep young people safe by making them aware of the dangers.

“It may seem harmless to take a short cut, or fun to play on the tracks, but this is not only illegal, it is also very dangerous. Taking a short cut or messing around on the tracks can result in serious lifechanging injuries or death.”

Research also shows that young people are more likely to trespass and take a risk on the tracks, with peaks in the number of people caught coinciding with the school holidays.

Chief Inspector Mark Cleland, British Transport Police in Wales, said: “Every day we are called to the tracks because a train driver has had to sound their horn or apply their emergency brake in a desperate bid to avoid youths on the line.”