Network Rail slams TikTok video of Bolton level crossing photography

Network Rail have slammed a video posted on TikTok showing a car being photographed on a railway level crossing in Bolton.

The footage, seen below, was shared on Twitter and shows a car parked in the middle of The Oaks level crossing at Bromley Cross in Bolton. The video also shows a tripod set up on the tracks to take photos.

Just seen this on TikTok! What goes through someone’s head when taking these photos? pic.twitter.com/2Pq5hXTAtg

— Great Little Railways (@GLRailways) January 14, 2021

Also featuring on the TikTok video are brags about the dangerous position by captioning the video “Would you take the risk to take the photograph no one else would?”.

The British Transport Police are investigating the footage.

Phil James, Network Rail’s North West route director, said: “The danger this person has put themselves and passengers in is sheer stupidity at a staggering level. Trespassing on the railway is a crime, as is endangering the lives of rail users.

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“No one should ever trespass onto the railway – so for it to be used as a backdrop for a photo shoot beggars belief. Lives could so easily have been lost by this reckless behaviour and we will be working closely with British Transport Police to make sure the person responsible for the video is brought to justice.”

Inspector Becky Warren from British Transport Police, said: “There is simply no excuse for not following safety procedures at level crossings. The behaviour shown by the individuals in this video is incredibly dangerous and reckless – no picture or video is worth risking your life for.

“We have seen first-hand what the consequences are of deliberately misusing level crossings, and we remind anyone using them to be responsible when doing so.

“Education on using level crossings is essential, which is why we continue to work closely with Network Rail on improving knowledge on the dangers of deliberately misusing them. However, we will also prosecute anyone caught committing any offences on or near level crossings in the hope this will make them think twice in future.”

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