Don't play on the train tracks in West Norfolk

That's the plea from Great Northern

Author: Sharon PlummerPublished 3rd Feb 2021

The rail operator serving King's Lynn is warning us playing on train tracks or posing for selfies is putting lives at risk.

Great Northern says trains travel at up to 100mph and need a large distance to stop.

Scott Milne, their Head of Rail Enforcement said:

"It really beggers belief that anyone would even think about doing this. Whether it's boredom through lockdown or just stupidity, railway tracks are incredibly dangerous places and hundreds of people die every year doing exactly this.

"We work really closely with Network Rail and British Transport Police to stop this because going onto the tracks is a criminal offence and if you're caught, you could be taken to court and face a £1,000 fine.

The dangers aren't just finanacial though.

Scott added:

"You could receive a deadly electric shock from our rails or power lines, it's possible you could trip or slip and injure yourself on the track or any of the equipment on the railway. And it's important that you could be encouraging your friends and family to be putting themselves in the same dangerous position in the future."

If you see someone on the train tracks, you're being urged to text British Transport Police on 61016 or in an emergency dial 999.