With the schools breaking up for the Summer holidays, Network Rail has released alarming footage from the East Midlands.
The footage released, which can be viewed below, is a compilation of the worst cases over the last year, with the hope that people stay off the tracks.
In the East Midlands, 2,755 incidents of trespass were recorded and 219 of those involved children, a rise of 8% on 2022-23.
The footage comes from a level crossing in Burton Joyce in Nottinghamshire and shows people taking part in photoshoots, walking in front trains and laying down in between the tracks.
“Every time someone strays onto the tracks, they are placing themselves at risk of serious, life-changing injury or worse. The consequences can be devastating, not only for them, but their loved ones and the wider community. Shutting the railway while we investigate reports of trespass also causes costly delays for rail passengers and freight.
“We hope that sharing the CCTV will act as a deterrent and show that acting irresponsibly on the railway is extremely dangerous. I strongly urge everyone to ensure that both they and their loved ones understand the risks so everyone can stay safe this summer.”
Hayley Manners, Network Rail’s community safety manager in the East Midlands
Responses
When I was young trains used to whistle at crossings, making their presence known in todays safety world you would that sounding a whistle would be top of the list to do.
Also when a train starts off may save some lives
Train drivers DO whistle at crossings – because crossings STILL HAVE WHISTLE BOARDS on the approach! Unfortunately, some people – as shown above – have so little common sense it wouldn’t even fill a teaspoon.
They still do sound a warning. But look how many people wander around with ear pods and buds or whatever nowadays, in their own little world of sound. There is a law covering wilful obstruction of a train; perhaps that needs to be used a bit more often, as it carries a prison sentence.
I still don’t understand why that people mess around on the railway tracks. Knowing that a train is coming. Why do people stop at a pedestrian level crossing just to take a picture. This is getting worse. Might as well see more fatalities on the railways.