UK: Railway boozers warned to behave on Real Ale Trail

[John Ashworth]

FOTR's Train Managers and Coach Controllers might recognise some of this type of behaviour...

Railway boozers warned to behave on Real Ale Trail in Huddersfield after unruly behaviour on the tracks

by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner Dec 7 2011

BOOZERS on the railway Real Ale Trail are being warned to behave.

Unruly behaviour has prompted police to issue a warning about the conduct of those following the Real Ale Trail between Stalybridge and Batley.

The trail takes in pubs in Huddersfield.

British Transport Police (BTP) say drinkers have been urinating on platforms, running across train tracks and damaging trains.

BTP say they fear it’s only a matter of time before “reckless behaviour” becomes a major incident.

They’ve joined forces with Northern Rail and First TransPennine Express (FTPE) to express concerns about the behaviour of those on the trail made famous by BBC’s James May and Oz Clark.

Insp Richard Price, from British Transport Police, said: “We are receiving an increased number of reports of large groups of passengers travelling in a drunk and disorderly manner on services on a weekend.

“Beer glasses are being carried on to trains, people are urinating on platforms, the doors on trains are being held open, disrupting services and trains themselves are also being damaged.

“We have also had reports of large groups of men heavily under the influence of alcohol running across the tracks and over-crowding platforms, compromising the safety of others.”

The inspector said large groups of revellers, including stag and hen parties, following the trail has led to an increase in the number of drunken passengers they are having to deal with at railway stations from Stalybridge to Batley.

Insp Price added: “We do not want to spoil people having a fun night out, but this behaviour is now crossing the line and makes the journeys of other passengers and staff an intimidating experience.

“It is only a matter of time before we have a major incident on our hands due to the reckless behaviour of some.

Real Ale Trail is facing derailment after sharp rise in drunken chaos

Yorkshire Post
Published on Wednesday 7 December 2011 06:00

The Real Ale Trail began its life as a popular treat for mild-mannered guys with a penchant for railways.

But police say the Trail, which gained popularity after being featured on the BBC’s Oz Clark and James May Drink to Britain series, is in danger of becoming a menace with drunken passengers causing chaos.

The trains run from Stalybridge to Batley and features a number of real ale pubs on or near railway stations. Inspector Richard Price from British Transport Police said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned over the behaviour of a number of people who are using the rail network to follow the Real Ale Trail over the past few months.

“We are receiving an increased number of reports of large groups of passengers travelling in a drunk and disorderly manner on services on a weekend. Beer glasses are being carried on to trains, people are urinating on platforms, the doors on trains are being held open disrupting services and trains are being damaged.

“We have also had reports of large groups of men heavily under the influence of alcohol running across the tracks and over crowding platforms compromising the safety of others.”

Officers say those taking part are not necessarily real ale enthusiasts and the trail is also being used merely as an occasion to drink to excess.

“Groups of revellers, including stag and hen parties, are following the trail during an afternoon and drinking a variety of very strong beers resulting in large numbers of drunken passengers,” Insp Price added.

“We do not want to spoil people having fun but this behaviour is now crossing the line and makes the journeys of other passengers and staff on the services an intimidating experience.

“It is only a matter of time before we have a major incident on our hands due to the reckless behaviour of some.”

Batley to Stalybridge: Fast track to trouble on the Real Ale Trail

Yorkshire Evening Post
By Bruce Smith
Published on Wednesday 7 December 2011 05:00

Unruly real ale lovers searching for high-octane beer are losing their heads and giving fellow rail travellers and staff a hangover with anti-social behaviour.

Now British Transport Police have warned real ale fans taking the Transpennine Real Ale Trail from Batley to Stalybridge, stopping at Dewsbury, Mirfield and Huddersfield, to keep their celebrations on the right tracks or face prosecution.

They could end up walking home if banned from the railways.

The trail, featured on the BBC’s Oz and James Drink to Britain, is described as a “unique voyage to a selection of Yorkshire and Lancashire best real ale pubs”.

Some drunk trail-followers are running across crowded platforms and railway lines, compromising safety, say police.

Stag and hen parties are downing a range of strong ales, beer glasses are taken on trains, people urinate on platforms, train doors are held open, disrupting services, and trains damaged, added police.

Insp Richard Price, from BTP, said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned over large drunk and disorderly groups. We do not want to stop people having fun but this makes the journeys of other passengers and staff intimidating.

“It is a matter of time before we have a major incident,” said Insp Price. “This will not be tolerated and we are seeking a solution with Northern Rail and First TransPennine Express.”

Lee Wasnidge of Northern Rail, said: “Passengers have the right to travel and our employees the right to work without fear.”

Billy Vickers, of First Transpennine Express, said: “The vast majority of customers behave in a decent manner. However, there are those whose behaviour, whether fuelled by alcohol or not, is unacceptable.”