Police warning after family allegedly cycle on Dawlish line

A photo which allegedly shows a family cycling on the rail line between Exeter and Dawlish has led to warnings against using the line from British Transport Police and Network Rail.

The photograph appeared on social media apparently showing a family of cyclists using the tracks in the Powderham area while work continues by Network Rail to repair damage caused by severe weather earlier this month.

The photo is alleged to have been taken in mid-February when the nearby Dawlish Warren road was flooded but there remains some uncertainty around the photos authenticity.

Despite the uncertainty, British Transport Police and Network Rail have responded with warnings that people should stay off the tracks, even while no passenger services are running as a result of the damage at Dawlish, as they remain dangerous.

Sergeant Dave Mannion, of BTP Exeter, said: “It is still is an offence to trespass on the railway even though no passenger services are running on this stretch of line.

“There are still a huge range of dangers associated with the line – not least the fact that engineering trains are running and heavy machinery is being used by engineers repairing the line at the moment.

“As always, I urge people to stick to recognised paths and roads and resist the temptation to use the railway line as a shortcut or a playground while the repair works are ongoing.

“We have stepped up patrols in the area and anyone found trespassing on this stretch of line will be dealt with in the same manner as when trains are running normally.

“My message is simple - stay safe, stay off the tracks and stay out of trouble.”

Transport police have confirmed they are not investigating the photo’s providence due to the difficulties of tracking such images.

The photo is thought to have originally appeared on a First Great Western Facebook page but quickly found its way to Twitter.

The picture was posted to Network Rail by Twitter user @DriverPotter with the caption: “Engineers trains may run from Exeter & Dawlish. Please explain it to these morons?”

First Great Western employee, Oliver Evans, 25, wrote that the person who took the photo said the family was using the line due to the local road near Dawlish flooding on Sunday 16th February.

A spokesman for Network Rail asked that people stay off the line while work cotniued to repair the storm damage at Dalwlish, they said: “We have heavy plant machinery travelling through the area so there is still activity on the line.

“Even if the line isn’t open to passenger services people still shouldn’t be trespassing.”

Sgt Mannion of Exeter BTP added: “I am also appealing to parents and adults to take responsibility and emphasise the dangers to your children, and if you live near the railway, ask yourself if you know where your children are playing?

“This is not about stopping people having fun – it is about keeping them safe from harm.

“We will continue to work closely with colleagues from Devon and Cornwall Constabulary and Network Rail to monitor the rail lines in the affected area.

“My message is simple - stay safe, stay off the tracks and stay out of trouble.”