Current timestamp: 22/03/2023 15:20:27
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

btp-header-logo-bilingual

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • An existing case or report
    • Filming
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Local teams

    Back to Local teams

    • South West England
    • Wales
    • Midlands
    • Pennines
    • London
    • South of England
    • Scotland

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Spike in people using railway line as walking route in Dawlish

Main article content

Navigation

England

13:18 30/06/2021

British Transport Police (BTP) and Network Rail have issued a stark warning after several recent incidents of trespass on the railway line in Dawlish, Devon.

Dawlish  Dawlish

While Network Rail completes work on the new sea wall which runs alongside the railway, the footpath has been closed and a safe, temporary route has been put in place between Dawlish and Dawlish Warren station.

Since the footpath has been temporarily closed several incidents of people climbing on the wall and walking alongside the railway, where trains on the line can travel up to 75mph, have been reported.

The month of May saw an increase in reports, with 18 incidents occurring on the line and multiple people caught on camera in recent weeks.

In one instance, a person climbed on to the railway line with a dog, that wasn’t on a lead, causing a train to make an emergency stop.

Other instances have seen individuals injuring themselves by falling from the wall and needing assistance to get off the tracks.

These latest incidents follow similar instances of trespassing on the railway at Dawlish in April.

BTP and Network Rail are urging people to stay off the tracks and use the designated temporary route.  

Trespass is illegal, and people could face up to £1,000 fine and be left with a criminal record.

Embedded Inspector Darren Burridge from British Transport Police said: “We see hundreds of people taking risks on and around the railway every year, resulting in tragic consequences or life-changing injuries. Both outcomes are avoidable.

“Our network of uniformed and plain-clothed police officers, and over 150,000 CCTV cameras, monitor the railway 24/7 – we will actively pursue and take positive action against those who fail to comply with the simple instruction not to trespass.”

Alison Kramer, Community Safety Manager for Network Rail’s Western route, said: “During the half term holidays at the end of May, Network Rail staff spent the week on the sea wall talking to visitors about the work, explaining the diversion route and providing everyone with maps, so I am appalled that this type of reckless behaviour is still happening.

“The diversion adds a few minutes onto the time it takes to walk between Dawlish and Dawlish Warren, is it really worth risking yours and other people’s lives for the sake of a few minutes?

“The diversion route is there to ensure the safe running of the railway and we urge everyone to observe it. I encourage anyone who may witness acts of illegal trespassing to report it the British Transport Police”

Anyone who spots someone trespassing is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40. Always ring 999 in an emergency.

BTP and Network Rail run a hard-hitting safety campaign, You Vs Train, which highlights the devastating consequences that trespassing on the railway can have. Find out more at youvstrain.co.uk

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

British Transport Police

  • Contact us
  • Find a police station
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Local teams
  • Campaigns
  • News
  • Press and media
  • Privacy Notice
  • Accessibility
  • Terms and conditions
  • Cookies

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention advice
  • Accessing information
  • Stats and data
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Say thanks
  • Make a complaint

Partners

  • British Transport Police Authority
  • Train Operating Company reporting

Languages

  • Cymraeg

Follow us on

© Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.