A scene which simply beggars belief: A couple stand in the middle of the Esk Valley line at Sleights during the summer for their wedding photographs. It is a line used by both Northern and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway services, and was not closed to traffic at the time.
NETWORK RAIL
A DRAMATIC increase in the number of trespass incidents recorded between June and September this year have reached their highest levels for five years, with September 2020 showing a year-on-year increase of 17%.
Newly released figures from Network Rail and British Transport Police show there were 5,100 trespass incidents over the summer months, 1,239 alone in September.
The increase in incidents follows an easing of the coronavirus lockdown imposed in March, and while Network Rail has been running its You vs Train campaign in partnership with the BTP from summer 2018, primarily to focus on youth trespass, there is a growing trend towards more adult trespass.
In raising concern and awareness of such incidents, Network Rail has released photographs of trespassers, which include adults taking pictures of their children in the four foot, teenagers taking selfies, and even a bride and groom standing in the middle of a crossing for their wedding photography!