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Monday 8 Feb 2021

Railway workers branch out into road safety by clearing fallen tree

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: North West

Two railway workers saved the local highways department in Lancashire a job by stopping to clear a fallen tree branch dangerously obstructing a road.

Jonny Walker, a Network Rail off-track worker from Carlisle, and contractor Oliver Ireland spotted the hazard on Hollins Lane as they drove back from clearing trackside shrubs from the railway at Scorton, Lancashire.

Rather than leaving it for the local highways team from Lancashire County Council to deal with, they chopped up the fallen tree and cleared the obstruction from the road

Darren Miller, Network Rail maintenance manager for Lancs & Cumbria, said: "I’m really proud of Jonny and Oliver. After keeping the railway safe, they naturally lent a hand to keep the roads safe too.”

Harvey Danson, area highways manager for Lancashire County Council, said: "The stormy weather over recent weeks has kept us very busy, and I'm very grateful to Network Rail's staff for lending us a hand by removing this tree while they were working in the area."

Meanwhile, there is a risk the cold weather expected across Lancashire and Cumbria this week could impact on rail travel.

Passengers who still need to make essential journeys during this period of national lockdown are being advised to check www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest travel information.