Rail services running between Hereford and Great Malvern were disrupted last night following a trespass incident near Ledbury.
Services were delayed/cancelled for a couple of hours before the incident was cleared. Services are reported to be running as normal this morning.
Guidance from National Rail says:
Trespassing on the railway is illegal and dangerous. You could be taken to court and face a £1000 fine.
For this reason, when we see someone trespassing, we have to stop all trains in the vicinity to make sure everyone is kept safe. This not only delays nearby trains, but also has a knock-on effect on trains across the network.
Certain parts of the railway, including stations, underpasses and level crossings, are open to the public. But when people go onto the tracks, embankments or other areas, they are trespassing.
When people trespass on the railway and vandalise our property, we need to repair any damage and make sure the railway is safe before allowing trains to run again. This causes delays for passengers. Vandalism includes graffiti, litter, fly-tipping and damage to fences, signs and tracks.
More information – https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/looking-after-the-railway/delays-explained/vandalism-and-trespass/
Photo Credit – Harold Sparrey / Snapshots of Your Herefordshire
