New measures introduced to tackle railway trespassing in the UK
SCHOOLCHILDREN will be taught to stay off railway tracks while drones are sent up to hunt trespassers in a major crackdown on rail disruption, reports BritPanorama.
The Government is making rail safety lessons compulsory in schools from September as it battles a surge in dangerous track intrusions. Publicly owned train operators are also deploying drones to spot trespassers before they can bring the network to a standstill.
This decision comes in response to alarming figures that show railway trespass incidents have more than doubled in the past decade, soaring from 6,415 in 2014/15 to 13,921 last year. These incidents were linked to an estimated £85.5 million in delays across the rail network last year alone.
Every incident causes disruptions, forcing trains to stop while emergency services respond and lines are declared safe, which impacts thousands of passengers. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated, “Publicly owned operators are deploying drones across the network to identify trespassers and prevent disruption, and the British Transport Police is getting a boost to its budget to put hundreds more officers on the frontline.”
Ministers hope that teaching children about the dangers of trespassing from an early age will help drive down the number of incidents. The lessons will cover the risks of entering railway tracks, using level crossings safely, and avoiding other dangerous behaviour around the rail network.
From September, rail safety education will be incorporated into the curriculum in England, aiming to instil an understanding of the dangers posed by the railways in young people. “Bringing our railways back into public ownership will put safety and reliability at the heart of our network,” Alexander added.
Additionally, the Government is investing in fencing, targeted patrols, and safety campaigns at known trespass hotspots. Trespassing on the railway remains a criminal offence, with offenders facing fines of up to £1,000.
This multifaceted approach seeks to not only educate but enforce, fostering a safer rail environment as the UK continues to connect its communities through its transport networks.
As incidents of rail trespassing rise, the Government’s commitment to education and enforcement highlights a crucial movement toward enhancing public safety in the UK’s railway system.
