| Re: BBC article Warleigh Weir Swimming and rail crossing Posted by Mark A at 20:51, 3rd July 2026 |     |
I use this crossing very occasionally as one of a class of users termed 'Encumbered pedestrian'. (It's on a useful portage route between the canal and the river.) Every time I've encountered it, it's very trim and well maintained. Many people don't treat these as though they're stepping across one blade of a pair of scissors though. And then there's the issue of the 'Second train on the other line' as well. Thinking back to school, I can't recall the sort of safety talks about this that hopefully happen now.
Oh, and when I passed the driving test back in the day, one of the oral questions from the examiner concerned the approach flags for a level crossing - the 'Three stripe/two stripe/one stripe' sequence. They must have been feeling merciful as despite passing these many times on a road I used regularly on a bike, I replied that I had no idea, but they were obviously a count down to some severe hazard or other...
Mark
| Re: BBC article Warleigh Weir Swimming and rail crossing Posted by JayMac at 19:37, 3rd July 2026 | |
Whilst it may be 'dangerous misuse' (although I'm not sure Network Rail would use such language) there still remains a duty of care to the public who use the crossing.
| 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
