Media centre

Monday 25 Oct 2004

RAILWAY VANDALS RISK LIVES

Region & Route:

| Southern

Vandals in Dartford have put passengers lives at risk, caused delays to services and cost the rail industry more than half a million pounds. On 14 October, services were disrupted when vandals threw objects onto the line from Anne of Cleaves railway footbridge, which connects Francis Road and King Edward Avenue, severely damaging the rail track and short-circuiting the railway signalling system. Dave Ward, Network Rail Route Director said: “These vandals have risked the lives of rail passengers and have cost the rail industry thousands of pounds. The British Transport Police will be watching the area and will arrest and prosecute anyone caught vandalising or trespassing on the railway.” Since 2001, three other incidents have been recorded, the most serious causing more than 2,500 minutes of delay to passengers. Even though the fencing across the bridge is over six-feet high, intent on causing damage, the vandals have thrown items over the top.  Network Rail and the British Transport Police will increase patrols and will be sending a letter to local schools to make them aware of railway dangers and safety implications.