| Re: BBC article Warleigh Weir Swimming and rail crossing Posted by Bob_Blakey at 08:03, 3rd July 2026 |     |
.....Does anyone else think BTP issued less than ideal statement here
Not necessarily; the attached image is of the only 'footpath' across the railway anywhere near Warleigh Weir - it is towards the end of Ferry Lane - and if it is being subjected to dangerous misuse then the fault lies entirely with the general public and not the railway (unless of course if the crossing has been significantly downgraded since 2012 which is the date on Google Maps).
| Re: BBC article Warleigh Weir Swimming and rail crossing Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 07:34, 3rd July 2026 | |
Does anyone else think BTP issued less than ideal statement here
Yes, I do.
That apparent BTP response to the specific issue raised completely misses the point.
Near Nailsea, for example, there is a public footpath / right of way, which crosses the main line from Bristol to Exeter. The line speed here is 100 mph, there is no third rail / electrification and no question of 'trespassing' by those pedestrians using it.
The BTP need to focus more on specific issues, not give a generic answer to any raised concern (if that is what they did).
CfN.
| BBC article Warleigh Weir Swimming and rail crossing Posted by John D at 07:16, 3rd July 2026 | |
BBC has article saying how popular wild swimming spot Warleigh weir (south of Bathampton) requires footpath crossing railway and it is being misused
A row has erupted over railway safety at a wild swimming spot where its owner claims it is "only a matter of time" before somebody is killed.
Warleigh Weir, near Bath, is visited by thousands of people but the site is only accessible by a footpath that crosses a busy railway line.
Landowner Johnny Palmer said he received "inadequate" responses after he raised concerns about safety at the site. Some pedestrians have been ignoring warning lights and alarms, and posing for photos on the line.
Warleigh Weir, near Bath, is visited by thousands of people but the site is only accessible by a footpath that crosses a busy railway line.
Landowner Johnny Palmer said he received "inadequate" responses after he raised concerns about safety at the site. Some pedestrians have been ignoring warning lights and alarms, and posing for photos on the line.
Then British Transport Police have a statement (bear in mind this is a non-electrified line operated by noisy diesel 158, 165, 166 units and freight locos, and has relatively low speed limit in area
A spokesperson for the British Transport Police (BTP) said trespassing on rail lines was illegal and put lives in "immediate danger".
The spokesperson said: "Trains travel far faster and quieter than people expect, they can't stop quickly and electrified rails are always live.
The spokesperson said: "Trains travel far faster and quieter than people expect, they can't stop quickly and electrified rails are always live.
Whilst I am all for improving safety at rural footpath crossings, I don't think the BTP statement which appears to have been cut and paste from an urban mainline crossing, was most helpful way to remind how to use a foot crossing either. Does anyone else think BTP issued less than ideal statement here
