NEW moves are being made to tackle trespassing on railway lines in Keighley.

Network Rail is to up its work with schools in the area to spotlight the dangers.

The development follows a spate of incidents involving people putting their lives at risk by walking along tracks.

Several reports of trespassing have related to the privately-run Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.

In April, a shock image was released of two adults and a child walking along the five-mile line, with a pushchair.

Keighley MP Robbie Moore called an online meeting in a bid to find new ways of combating the problem.

Among those present were Nick Bennett and Noel Hartley from the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, Inspector Khalid Khan of West Yorkshire Police, Sgt Martin Peters from British Transport Police and James Blanchard, representing Network Rail.

Mr Moore says that because the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway is privately owned, neither British Transport Police nor Network Rail have authority over the line.

But he added that both organisations were keen to get involved to help spread the message about the dangers of trespassing.

“I am grateful to all who attended the meeting,” said Mr Moore.

“It was a very proactive discussion and it has provided reassurance that with a joined-up effort across the board, key stakeholders are eager to raise awareness of the dangers of trespassing on railway lines – heritage or not.

“It cannot be said enough – walking on railway lines is dangerous.

“Network Rail has agreed to launch an outreach programme in schools across the Keighley and Ilkley constituency, highlighting the dangers of trespassing on railway lines.

“I will be supporting Network Rail with this initiative to promote it to as many schools as possible.”

Dawn Sweeting, community safety manager for Network Rail’s north and east route, said Keighley had been “an area of concern” in relation to trespassing for some time.

She added: “Although the Worth Valley line is not part of the Network Rail infrastructure, we’re happy to help raise awareness by extending some of the safety message sessions we regularly run in the region’s schools.”

Mr Moore said that even at times when public services weren’t operating on the Worth Valley line, trains were still in use.

“Trespassing on the railway is illegal and dangerous – please stay safe and do not do it,” he said.

Dr Matt Stroh, chairman of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, reiterated the message.