Wednesday 16 Aug 2006
TRESPASS WARNING AFTER MOTORCYCLE THROWN AT TRAIN
- Region & Route:
- | Wales & Western: Wales & Borders
- | Wales & Western: Western
- | Wales & Western
Young people in Shrewsbury are being warned to stay away from the railway after a mini-motorcycle was thrown onto a train in the north of the town. The incident occurred at Bulls Bridge and is the latest in a series of attacks on the railway in the area.
Mark Langman, Network Rail’s Area General Manager for Wales and the Marches said: “Luckily no one was injured in this incident but if the motorbike had smashed through a window of the train it could have had serious or even fatal consequences. People who play or trespass on the railway are not only putting themselves at risk but those of rail passengers and staff too. We don’t want anyone to die as a result of playing on the tracks this summer, the message is clear, stay safe and stay away from the tracks.” There have been 10 incidents of trespass and vandalism this year at Bulls Bridge alone. Fencing has been damaged and missiles ranging from stones to bicycles have been thrown at passing trains. These all have potentially drastic consequences to individuals, passengers and railway staff. Trains travel though Shrewsbury at up to 70 mph, can’t swerve out of the way and can take the length of 20 football pitches to stop in an emergency. Inspector Derek Cheetham from British Transport Police added: “Trespassing on the railway is a crime. We are working with Network Rail to try and reduce these types of incidents. We will be patrolling the area over the summer to try and catch any offenders putting obstructions in front of trains, vandalising and throwing items at trains, which can lead to serious injury and can even derail trains. Anyone with information about railway crime can report it to the BTP on 0800 405040 or ring Crimesoppers anonymously on 0800 55 111.”
Notes to editors
The incident involving the mini-motorcycle occurred on the 7 August. At approximately 8pm the motorcycle was thrown from Bulls Bridge onto the roof of an Arriva Trains Wales service from Milford Haven to Manchester Piccadilly. No one was injured and while the train suffered superficial damage it was able to continue on its journey to Manchester Five young people (all under 16) died on the railway in the United Kingdom last year as a result of trespass Network Rail is committed to combating trespass and vandalism by the following initiatives: No Messin’! a national campaign to stop young people messing around on the railway tracks, and reduce the number of resultant deaths and injuries by getting them doing something better with their time. http://www.no-messin.com Dedicated Railway Crime Education Managers visit schools and road shows educating young people about the dangers of the railway. We will be targeting schools in the Shrewsbury area in the Autumn term to warn children about the dangers of playing on the railway.
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