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Don’t take a risk on the railway
8:27am Friday 18th July 2008
Comments (83)STAY off the rails. That's the message from police and train operators to Swindon youths.
They sounded the warning after figures revealed the town ranked seventh in a national rail crime league table.
We all remember feeling young and invincible but the danger on the railway is a real one
Chris Fuoco
Network Rail released the worst offenders list to hammer home the safety message ahead of next week's school summer holidays.
Chris Fuoco, the Swindon area general manager for Network Rail, said: "Their actions are not only illegal but could prove fatal.
"We all remember feeling young and invincible but the danger posed to trespassers on the railway is a real one.
"At Network Rail we do all we can to prevent incidents - improving fencing, surveillance, closing crossings and even having a team of rail crime education managers, who work with the community to raise awareness of the issue.
"I would ask parents to remind their children of the dangers they could be placing themselves in."
Swindon railway station was hit by vandals, or trespassed on, 47 times last year.
That added to the 56,000 minutes of delay at the station and more than £2m worth of damage.
Some of the incidents in the region included placing boulders and bricks on tracks or throwing them at trains, as well as riding motorbikes on the railway.
Young people have also been found dangling off bridges, which run above railways, running along a parapet parallel to a track and setting fire to objects on the track.
Inspector Barry Dalby, of British Transport Police, said officers get reports of youngsters endangering safety by being involved with route offences every week.
He said: "I cannot emphasise strongly enough the dangers associated with this type of crime.
"I am urging all parents and responsible adults to emphasise these dangers and ensure all youngsters keep away from the tracks during the holidays.
"People who trespass or commit crime on the railway are putting their own lives at risk, as well as the lives of all the staff and passengers travelling on trains.
"The railways are not a playground."
Your Say YourSwindon
PaulD, says...
8:59am Fri 18 Jul 08
Frontier(s) wrote:indeed. In fact we should take down all the fences
Darwinism at it's best. Anyone daft enough to play on a railway line should be allowed to go right ahead and do so.
rea, swindon says...
9:34am Fri 18 Jul 08
chipper, chippenham says...
10:17am Fri 18 Jul 08
Frontier(s) wrote:Yeah, but who gets all the grief about the delays whilst some poor souls have to pick up the pieces.
Darwinism at it's best. Anyone daft enough to play on a railway line should be allowed to go right ahead and do so.
Frontier(s), says...
10:18am Fri 18 Jul 08
The delays would be a pain though, agreed.
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
10:37am Fri 18 Jul 08
Frontier(s) wrote:Your lack of compassion for fellow human beings is today astounding. Some pour soul should not have to do this. I for one sympathise with anyone who has to do this job, alongside the poor driver and anyone else involved.
Well, if that's your job, that's your job. If you don't like it, or can't do it, get another. The delays would be a pain though, agreed.
I know somebody who's job is to try and prevent this happening. How can this not affect her when she has to look into all the details surrounding it, including graphic pictures?
Do you have this lack of sympathy which could easily be construed as a lack of respect, for our armed forces and others who put their lives at risk and witness things that they should not have to? I don't suppose your past career entailed such things did it.
Frontier(s), says...
10:48am Fri 18 Jul 08
There are hundreds of unpleasant jobs that people do have to do - something always has to do them.
And as for your cheap shot saying my comments indicate a 'lack of respect', that may be your opinion but, like most of them that you post here, you're entirely wrong.
I have nothing but respect for the people who do these kinds of jobs. In fact, one of my best friend's father was chief accident scene photographer for the Dorset police and so I know exactly what these people are up against.
You're right about my career history though, I've never had to pick up limbs. Now then, perhaps you'd like to inform me about what you've done where that was part of the job description, given that you claim to have such knowledge about these things?
As your friend will no doubt tell you, what happens is that people doing these jobs become desensitised to a large degree. No, they never quite get over what they see but that is their job. They are professionals and know what their role entails. They then either continue to do their job, or they leave.
There's nothing 'disrespectful' about that, it's simply the reality (something you seem oddly detatched from most of the time).
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
10:58am Fri 18 Jul 08
I think it's you dear who is becoming detatched from reality. You sit there in your ivory tower at the top of the hill, passing judgement. Now a lot of the time your views I don't agree with, but nonetheless I respect.
However, recently you have come across as arrogant and pompous. I think you need to come out of that ivory tower a bit more and down the hill, in order to keep a grasp on the real world. For it is you who is in danger of becoming detatched from real life. You are getting old ... go careful. Don't become detached because of this like so many of us do.
If I have offended then I apologise. It's just that I would hate to see somebody with such previous sound judgement become complacement and therefore that judgement obscured.
No offence intended.
Frontier(s), says...
11:16am Fri 18 Jul 08
Those people are often proud of the work they do and, believe it or not, enjoy making a difference and doing the jobs that others would not.
For you to patronisingly say that those 'poor souls' shouldn't have to do it IS offensive and shows that you are unable to view things from anything other than your own viewpoint.
And, for the record, living in a council estate doesn't mean you have a grasp on reality. In fact, it could well indicate *quite* the opposite.
It's not 'reality' for the majority to rake in cheap housing and hundreds of pounds worth of benefits each month, as I'm sure you do with six children to cope with.
I've also met people who are relatively young (by the way, I'm less than five years older than you) and have spent so much of their lives having babies and spending their time around young children. They often have a detatched view of the real adult world.
Lastly, I'm actually quite happy for you to consider me 'arrogant and pompous'. It just shows how little you really know and, anyway, is far more preferable than you thinking I'm in any way similar to you.
emmylou83, Stratton says...
11:27am Fri 18 Jul 08
As for the story in hand, anyone stupid enough to "play" on railway lines deserves everything they get. There is a story on Sky News today about a woman who was nearly hit by a train after not bothering to use the footbridge but instead decide to cross platforms by going over the lines, if a member of the public hadn't pull her up onto the platform she would be dead.
Human beings are really dense
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
11:33am Fri 18 Jul 08
Human beings are really dense
Actually we float :)
Frontier(s), says...
11:41am Fri 18 Jul 08
emmylou wrote:
As for the story in hand, anyone stupid enough to "play" on railway lines deserves everything they get.
Careful emmylou, you're agreeing with me again!
Mumstheword won't like it one little bit.
worz, Wootton Bassett says...
11:43am Fri 18 Jul 08
No, how much?
None at all!
(with apologies to Douglas Adams :)
emmylou83, Stratton says...
11:44am Fri 18 Jul 08
LordBelacqua wrote:If you're not careful Mister you'll be going panto on your own
Human beings are really denseActually we float :)
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
11:45am Fri 18 Jul 08
And please do not jump to the assumption that I believe "just" living on a council estate is all the life experience I need.
I have a job. Now that is personal enough. Don't treat me as an ignorant from a council estate and I will not treat you as a toff who knows nothing about life!
Apologies to everybody for going so way off track (no pun intended!)
Now, back to the subject in hand. I called the people who have to scrape bodies off the track "poor souls" If that sounded condescending then I apologise. Of course I am going to respect what they do but at the same time, I sympathise. They should not have to do this, because fellow humans choose to act in such an irresponsible, selfish way. Sadly I appreciate that is not real life. All they should have to remove are leaves.
emmylou83, Stratton says...
11:45am Fri 18 Jul 08
Frontier(s) wrote:I don't enjoy agreeing with you, in fact it pains me to do so and am considering counselling :o)
emmylou wrote: As for the story in hand, anyone stupid enough to "play" on railway lines deserves everything they get.Careful emmylou, you're agreeing with me again! Mumstheword won't like it one little bit.
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
11:48am Fri 18 Jul 08
doug@homefarm, SN1 says...
12:11pm Fri 18 Jul 08
emmylou83 wrote:Oh No he wont!
LordBelacqua wrote:If you're not careful Mister you'll be going panto on your ownHuman beings are really denseActually we float :)
emmylou83, Stratton says...
12:19pm Fri 18 Jul 08
doug@homefarm wrote:Oh dear haha
emmylou83 wrote:Oh No he wont!LordBelacqua wrote:If you're not careful Mister you'll be going panto on your ownHuman beings are really denseActually we float :)
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
12:31pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Oh dear haha
It's behind you! ;)
Hey Doug - been rather quiet lately! How's life on the rural front?
Oxford, Toothill says...
12:35pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Oxford, Toothill says...
12:39pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Frontier(s), says...
12:41pm Fri 18 Jul 08
How is it that people not on Council estates look on them to see people who work?
Surely all the people who don't work live in council provided accommodation? How else can they afford to live?
Oxford, Toothill says...
12:46pm Fri 18 Jul 08
emmylou83, Stratton says...
12:49pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Surely all the people who don't work live in council provided accommodation? How else can they afford to live?
I have friends who live in council accommodation and they work so Ppffttt to you
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
1:21pm Fri 18 Jul 08
yeti, swindon says...
1:33pm Fri 18 Jul 08
not really in the middle of east walcot is it?
i'd say it's as far on the outskirts of east walcot as you can get.
count your blessings i say.
frontier, your earlier comment did seem harsh.
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
1:39pm Fri 18 Jul 08
yeti, swindon says...
1:44pm Fri 18 Jul 08
it is needed. hopefully a few of the scum from the flats above will be removed at the same time.i think not having flats near the shops will be better,but i aint seen the plans.
Ceejay85, Swindon says...
1:50pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Ceejay85, Swindon says...
2:01pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Frontier(s), says...
2:08pm Fri 18 Jul 08
emmylou83 wrote:Here we go again.
Surely all the people who don't work live in council provided accommodation? How else can they afford to live?I have friends who live in council accommodation and they work so Ppffttt to you
I KNOW that some people who live in council housing work.
What I said, if you'd read my post properly before telling us all about your friends again, is that people who DON'T work tend to live in council houses.
Therefore there are more unemployed people to be found in council housing than in private housing - it's not an insult, it's simply an obvious fact of reality.
Frontier(s), says...
2:10pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Mumstheword wrote:I've lived in Swindon for over 25 years, do you really not think I've been to these places plenty of times?
Oxfords topsy turvy world makes sense to me in some ways. Fancy a tour of East Walcot Frontier?
BWB, SWINDON says...
2:16pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Getting back to the story.I say If some
stupid kid gets smashed playing on rail lines.
Make the parents pick up the pieces.
And then charge them with obstruction.
Oxford, Toothill says...
2:17pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Oxford, Toothill says...
2:22pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Grumpy old man, Swindon says...
2:23pm Fri 18 Jul 08
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
2:25pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Children also get killed playing on the roads and pavements
In all fairness, you don't have to climb a 6ft fence to get onto a road, nor to cars weigh 100 tonnes and take a football pitch to stop.
Frontier(s), says...
2:25pm Fri 18 Jul 08
You're saying that it's wrong to assume that unemployed people might live on council estates?
Are you for real?
If you're right, then why did the Labour Minister for Housing say this in February of this year?
'Work or lose home' says minister
Unemployed council and housing association tenants should seek work or face losing their homes, housing minister Caroline Flint has suggested.
She said new applicants for social housing might sign "commitment contracts" pledging to seek employment.
In a speech, Ms Flint said: "Social housing should be based around the principle of something for something."
She said: "Social housing will always have a strong role in supporting the most vulnerable - the elderly, those with disabilities.
But there are also many who are currently unemployed who could find work with the right training and support."
Ms Flint said Labour wanted to break the link between social housing and long-term unemployment. She described "concentrations of deprivation and disadvantage - with long-term unemployment and some families without jobs for generations."
A report commissioned last year by her department suggested that half of all households paid for by benefits were without work, and many of these are under 25.
New statistics also reveal that the number of unemployed council tenants has risen by 20% to 55% since 1981.
So, the government themselves admit that 55% of all council tenants are unemployed.
That's more than 1 in every two council tenants!
Now, remind me again how everyone on council estates works...
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
2:28pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Now, remind me again how everyone on council estates works...
I didn't see anyone claiming that...
emmylou83, Stratton says...
2:29pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Frontier(s) wrote:I wasn't having a dig I just wanted to get your back up, looks like I succeeded (well I have to do something to entertain myself at work)
emmylou83 wrote:Here we go again. I KNOW that some people who live in council housing work. What I said, if you'd read my post properly before telling us all about your friends again, is that people who DON'T work tend to live in council houses. Therefore there are more unemployed people to be found in council housing than in private housing - it's not an insult, it's simply an obvious fact of reality.Surely all the people who don't work live in council provided accommodation? How else can they afford to live?I have friends who live in council accommodation and they work so Ppffttt to you
Frontier(s), says...
2:52pm Fri 18 Jul 08
I know I can't ever say 'X' is true without you saying one of your mates is the exception to the rule.
LordB, people have made comments about how it's unfair to assume council tenants don't work when the government themselves say that 55% of council tenants are unemployed.
When more than 1 in 2 don't work, I think it's fair enough to think that most people in council housing don't work... because it's an established matter of fact!
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
2:58pm Fri 18 Jul 08
When more than 1 in 2 don't work, I think it's fair enough to think that most people in council housing don't work... because it's an established matter of fact!
So which is it? You said everyone before, and you're saying most now...
emmylou83, Stratton says...
3:08pm Fri 18 Jul 08
It doesn't really get my back up though, emmy.
I know I can't ever say 'X' is true without you saying one of your mates is the exception to the rule.
Grrr must try harder :o) at least you know what you're getting with me :o)
Most don't work whihc is why they are in council estates yes I agree (thats twice today I need a lie down)
Frontier(s), says...
3:26pm Fri 18 Jul 08
LordBelacqua wrote:Oxford said:
When more than 1 in 2 don't work, I think it's fair enough to think that most people in council housing don't work... because it's an established matter of fact!
So which is it? You said everyone before, and you're saying most now...
in general the majority of people of working age on council estates do work... It's true, honest!
It's actually not true, at all.
The 'majority', according to the government, DON'T work.
yeti, swindon says...
3:51pm Fri 18 Jul 08
lets hope labour have the guts to follow it through.get a job or out on the street for the scum bags.
i'd also shake up the disabilty payments as many are taking the **** out of the system.
for thos who cannot find jobs i suggest they have estate managers who will havbe meeting points and lists of all the unemployed.they can then do jobs around the estates in which we pay for them to live.earning their benefits and homes.
giving something back for a change.
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
3:54pm Fri 18 Jul 08
"Social housing will always have a strong role in supporting the most vulnerable - the elderly, those with disabilities.
True - but what about the rest?
The government are trying to phase out council housing, hoping to do it so gradually that no one will notice. They are encouraging existing council house tenenants to buy and not replacing or rebuilding any council houses. They have been doing this since the eighties and gradually they are all disappearing.
So, the most vulnerable and the unemployed will be eventually put in housing association places.
The rent is sky high on these places. Whilst they are out of work, this will obviously be paid for by the government. But, if these housing association tenants try to get a job (nine times out of ten these people will be unskilled and manual workers receiving low wages,) They will find that they can not afford the rent and will be a **** site worse off. They simply won't be able to work. The poverty trap I think it's called. The rich get richer and the rest of us, well we struggle - as usual.
Frontier(s), says...
3:58pm Fri 18 Jul 08
People are happy to remain unemployed and have their lives funded by the rest of us because the benefits they receive are worth more than the paid work they're able to do.
What a disaster.
Until people have an incentive to work, they won't, they'll simply sit around taking all the money and benefits that are thrown at them.
Why wouldn't they?
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
4:02pm Fri 18 Jul 08
For those who cannot find jobs i suggest they have estate managers who will have meeting points and lists of all the unemployed.they can then do jobs around the estates in which we pay for them to live.earning their benefits and homes.
giving something back for a change.
I really like that idea. Often people who become unemployed lose confidence and self worth and get out of the habit of working. It is then doubly hard for them to get another job. This idea is brill! It means they will retain some of their pride and dignity and put something back. It would also end some of the resentment that exists between people who are working and people who aren't. If the workers could see that some of the unemployed want to get back into jobs and are trying, I think this would help.
yeti for pm today!
Frontier(s), says...
4:03pm Fri 18 Jul 08
They will never ask benefit recipients to work for their handouts. Ever.
yeti, swindon says...
4:04pm Fri 18 Jul 08
for the others it should be much more stingent and cuts made for the lazy.why do these cretins whinge and moan yet smoke and drink?
they shouldn't be able to afford it!
and child benfits for dole dossers should be scrapped. then they cannot just breed like rabbits for handouts.the payments for working familys should remain.
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
4:05pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Frontier(s) wrote:Not all of us would. Because some of us have morals.
My, my. Haven't we got ourselves into a pickle in this country? People are happy to remain unemployed and have their lives funded by the rest of us because the benefits they receive are worth more than the paid work they're able to do. What a disaster. Until people have an incentive to work, they won't, they'll simply sit around taking all the money and benefits that are thrown at them. Why wouldn't they?
Taxpower, Swinetown says...
4:11pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Mumstheword wrote:lack of compassion for people endangering other peoples lives, you must be kidding darling, Frontier is spot on, let them get wasted and luckily they will be before breeding age.
Frontier(s) wrote: Well, if that's your job, that's your job. If you don't like it, or can't do it, get another. The delays would be a pain though, agreed.Your lack of compassion for fellow human beings is today astounding. Some pour soul should not have to do this. I for one sympathise with anyone who has to do this job, alongside the poor driver and anyone else involved. I know somebody who's job is to try and prevent this happening. How can this not affect her when she has to look into all the details surrounding it, including graphic pictures? Do you have this lack of sympathy which could easily be construed as a lack of respect, for our armed forces and others who put their lives at risk and witness things that they should not have to? I don't suppose your past career entailed such things did it.
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
4:14pm Fri 18 Jul 08
You read it wrong! I obviously have not explained myself very well :( Sorry. What I meant is I thought Frontier's post showed a lack of compassion for the people who have to clean up the mess! He since explained that he does have compassion for them.
Oh and pls don't call me darling :) dude!
malkym, Tranquil surrounds of Highworth on the hill says...
4:15pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
4:19pm Fri 18 Jul 08
I think that some of these people are people with mental health problems and illnesses. Mental Health agencies do not receive adequate funding from the government and this puts these people at risk and also those around them. Too many do not receive help. They don't take their medication and this is what happens.
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
4:19pm Fri 18 Jul 08
I think that some of these people are people with mental health problems and illnesses. Mental Health agencies do not receive adequate funding from the government and this puts these people at risk and also those around them. Too many do not receive help. They don't take their medication and this is what happens.
Frontier(s), says...
4:24pm Fri 18 Jul 08
'Care In The Community' is a dangerous scandal that was presented as being 'caring' to mentally ill people whilst actually being the opposite.
Too many innocent people have been killed by mentally ill people since the concept began.
We need to remove the mentally ill from society to stop them being a danger to themselves and, more importantly, to other people.
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
4:29pm Fri 18 Jul 08
yeti, swindon says...
4:34pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
4:35pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Frontier(s), says...
8:40am Fri 18 Jul 08
Anyone daft enough to play on a railway line should be allowed to go right ahead and do so.