WITH the schools closed for the foreseeable future and parents seeking to fill their children’s time at home, British Transport Police and Network Rail are urging parents and carers to speak to their children and loved ones about the dangers posed by the railway and the importance of staying off the track.

The stretch of track between Lochgelly and Cowdenbeath stations, especially, especially near Lochgelly Golf Club, often sees young people straying on to the railway and there have been accidents.

Every year, there is a rise in the number of trespass incidents ahead of the Easter school holidays, when clocks go forward at the end of March and the evenings get lighter.

Now, with an undefined absence from school and the knowledge that fewer passenger trains may be running, there could be an even greater temptation to stray onto the rail network.

British Transport Police Embedded Inspector, Alison Evans, said: “We are continuing to proactively patrol miles of railway network with safety our number one priority.

"We’re asking that we all speak to the young people in our lives and make them aware of the importance of rail safety, so that they understand that everyone loses when you step on the track.”

British Transport Police and Network Rail run a hard-hitting safety campaign – You Vs Train, which highlights the devastating consequences of trespassing on the railway.

With the early closure of schools, parents have the opportunity to sign up for free online tutorials of the You vs Train railway safety lessons, which are normally broadcast into schools via Network Rail’s educational partner LearnLive.

Visit https://learnliveuk.com/trespass-awareness-week/ for more details.

Important messages for parents and carers to share with children:

Never anticipate that you know when the next train is due. The reduced number of passenger trains running on the network during the day will allow more freight services to operate during the daytime hours, transporting vital goods around the country. A freight train can travel at up to 100mph.

Further information on rail safety can be found at www.youvstrain.co.uk