Tuesday 14 Jan 2020
Plea to railway neighbours after airborne trampoline disrupts passengers
- Region & Route:
- North West & Central
Rail passengers were delayed after a trampoline was blown by Storm Brendan onto the busy West Coast main line in Staffordshire.
Trains were brought to a halt after the flying trampoline became caught in overhead electric wires causing a power outage at Hixon, between Rugeley and Stone, at around 6pm yesterday (Monday 13 January).
Network Rail has issued a plea to trackside householders to tether trampolines and other garden items following the dramatic incident.
James Dean, director for Network Rail’s West Coast Mainline South route, said: “In strong winds trampolines become airborne very easily. Our advice is: Please tether these kinds of items. That way you won’t lose them and train passengers’ journeys won’t be disrupted.
“We’re appealing to people living by the railway to ensure other items, such as gazebos, marquees and tents are fixed in place, so they don’t end up on the railway during high winds.”
The weather could cause further travel disruption today (Tuesday 14 January) with strong wind and heavy rain forecast.
Passengers are being advised to check for the latest travel information at www.nationalrail.co.uk.
Contact information
Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41
Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries
Journalists
Network Rail press office - North West & Central Region
0330 854 0100
NWCmediarelations@networkrail.co.uk
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