British Transport Police (BTP), Network Rail and East Midlands Railway are jointly urging parents and carers to warn young people of the dangers of trespassing following several serious trespass incidents across the East Midlands. There has been an increase in youngsters who appear to not understand the dangers of being trackside.
Tracks are live 24 hours a day, and trains travel at speeds of up to 125mph, sitting wider than the tracks they run on and often quieter than expected. A common misconception is that you must touch the cable to be electrocuted but physical contact with the cable doesn’t need to happen, 25,000 volts of electricity can jump from the overhead lines.
All these things will leave individuals with devastating, life-changing injuries, if not fatal, the BTP has said. BTP Nottingham Inspector Ellis Turner said: “Unfortunately we have seen too many times the tragic and life-changing consequences of young people ignoring the warnings about trespassing on the railway.
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"This summer holidays it is essential that young people know the dangers of being trackside. Education and following a good example from parents and guardians is vital in ensuring the safety of young people, understanding where they are and what they are up to and by discouraging dangerous activities.
"Passengers and the public continue to be our eyes and ears and they can help us by reporting any concerns or incidents by texting us on 61016 or calling 0800 405040.
A hard-hitting safety campaign run with Network Rail , called ‘You Vs Train’, highlights the consequences that trespassing on the railway can have. East Midlands Railway is encouraging people to think twice as they launch their anti-trespass campaign, which coincides with the school holidays and focuses on the dangers of going on the track.
The public will spot signage and posters at stations and across social media highlighting the dangers of retrieving items from the track and taking shortcuts from platforms. Lucy Gallacher, EMR's Emergency Planning Manager, said “It is really important that parents educate their children around the dangers of the railway and how to act appropriately at stations.
"We have launched this campaign to remind individuals of the dangers and it is imperative that others lead by example when at stations or near the railway." Alan Colclough, East Midlands Operations Risk Advisor at Network Rail said: “The reckless behaviour we’ve seen in recent months is deeply concerning.
"The railway is not a playground and you never know when the next train is approaching. The railway is also full of hidden hazards, and on the parts which have overhead electric power lines the electricity is always on.
"We work with partners across the rail industry to educate young people on the dangers of trespassing and level crossing misuse, but we need support from inside the home too. I strongly urge parents to have a conversation about railway safety with their children, especially during the summer holidays.”
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