Watch: railway trespass – again

New CCTV video has surfaced from Network Rail highlighting trespass on railway lines at Motspur Park station on its Wessex route. Over the past few weeks there have been five reported instances of trespass in which passengers have risked their lives by walking along the railway as a shortcut instead of following a temporary diversionary route.

Access to and from the station platforms from Station Road via the existing footbridge temporarily closed in July to facilitate a works compound, to support the construction of a new accessible footbridge due for completion next Spring. Following the closure of Station Road, a designated diversionary route was put in place.

CCTV has captured several instances in which passengers – including both adults and children – who have arrived at the station wanting to access Station Road and east of the station, have foregone the diversion and instead risked their lives by leaving the platform and walking around 50 metres along the live railway before departing at the level crossing. Trains can pass through this area at speeds of up to 60mph and there is the constant threat of the electrified third rail.

Watch the video, below:

Network Rail is working closely with South Western Railway (SWR) and the British Transport Police (BTP) to tackle this issue by providing additional guards at the station, increasing the number of BTP patrols at both the station and the level crossing as well as installing anti-trespass panels – known as Witches Hats – at the level crossing.

Still not getting our newsletter? See what the fuss is all about. Join today.