A couple posing for photos on one of Rye's level crossings and people walking along nearby railway tracks are among shocking footage recorded by a CCTV camera.
The shots of trespassing on the railway have been described as a "blatant disregard for safety" by Network Rail, who installed the camera at the Mill Lane pedestrian crossing. Two people have died at the crossing in recent years on a stretch of line where trains can reach 60mph.
You can watch the video here.
[embed]https://youtu.be/AbeTvrMSLcs[/embed]
Several incidents of people walking on the tracks or playing on the crossing next to the River Tillingham between the town and Gibbet Marsh have been reported to British Transport Police (BTP). Measures put in place to tackle the issue include extra signage, installing cameras, and hosting educational events.
James Neeson, Network Rail level crossing manager, says trespass incidents cause issues for everyone using the network. "An individual could sustain life-changing injuries and in the worst-case scenario, loss of life. A photo for social media is never worth the risk of putting yourself in this extremely dangerous situation. It’s disappointing to see people blatantly disregarding their own and others’ safety."
The Mill Lane crossing may only see two trains an hour most days but Nic Dooris, Network Rail’s community safety manager, says people need to regard it as a busy track. "It’s crucial that the level crossing is only used as a means of getting across the railway, and under no circumstances should people loiter or play on crossings and put their lives at risk.”
Anyone who witnesses any trespass incidents is encouraged to report what they’ve seen to BTP via the text service on 61016.
