Stay off the tracks – urgent warning from British Transport Police

British Transport Police is urging young people in the Barnsley area to think about the consequences of hanging around railway tracks after a rise in trespass incidents.

 

Officers are increasing patrols in the area but fear it could only be a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt or worse.

 

Superintendent Alison Evans of British Transport Police, said: “Trespassing on the railway can have serious, life-changing consequences for the individual, their loved ones and the wider community. Please, make sure you know the rail safety basics and pass that knowledge onto your loved ones. Lead by example and stay off the tracks.”

 

Sergeant Rob Pile added: “Parents and carers play a vital role in preventing tragedy resulting from trespass by ensuring they know where their children are and talking to them about the dangers of trespassing. So please, have that conversation with those in your care and encourage them to stay off the tracks.”

 

Olly Glover, Head of Safety, Health and Environment for Network Rail’s North and East route, said: “We really need parents in Barnsley and across the region to speak to their children and hammer home the dangers of steeping onto the tracks.

“We’re seeing too many incidents where people seem to be completely oblivious to the dangers they are putting themselves in. It’s never safe to hang around on the railway or use it as a shortcut. Trains can’t stop quickly or swerve out of the way and the consequences can be life changing or even fatal.”

 

The You vs Train campaign was created in summer 2018 by British Transport Police and Network Rail.

 

A new film – Parallel Lines -  has been launched to get children and young people to not only think about the devastating consequences that their actions can have on them and their loved ones, but the wider, sometimes hidden harm caused to the community, in particular rail staff.

 

The film has been streamed into schools as part of a rail safety broadcast by Network Rail’s education partner - LearnLive. Further information, including how to sign up for the broadcast, can be found on at learnliveuk.com

 

Information on the dangers of railway trespass and the new campaign film can be found at youvstrain.co.uk

 

Important messages for parents and carers to share with children:

 

• The rail network is never switched off. Electricity powers the overhead cables and third rail 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

 

• The rail network does not go to sleep once the last passenger services have run. Freight trains run all through the night.

 

• Never anticipate that you know when the next train is due. The reduced number of passenger trains running on the network during the day will allow more freight services to operate during the daytime hours, transporting vital goods around the country. A freight train can travel at up to 100mph.