Our fences help us to deter people from trespassing & vandalising
on the railway. We constantly monitor & maintain the fences to
check that they are suitable to deter people & animals from
accessing the tracks.
Sometimes, we will only replace a fence
if we decide that it is not good enough and a new or better fence is
needed. If we can, we will replace the old fence with new fence of a
similar size & type. But sometimes we will need to build a more
secure fence – particularly if it is in an area with lots of
trespassing & vandalism.
Plants & trees near fences
Sometimes, we also need to remove some of the plants & trees
near the track so that we can repair an old fence or build a new fence.
If we have to do this, we work with environmental & conservation
experts so that we do not harm native wildlife while we are doing the
work.
Your garden fence
When there are two fences between the railway & another property
(e.g. a railway fence & a garden fence), Network Rail is only
responsible for building & maintaining its own fence.
Where
there is only one fence between the railway & another property, the
responsibility for that fence varies. Network Rail is always
responsible for keeping the railway safe. However, in some cases the
deeds for your property may impose an obligation on you to maintain the
fence.
If you need advice about who is responsible for a
particular fence or are concerned about access between your property
& the railway, please call the National Helpline on 08457 11 41 41.
Preventing trespassing & vandalism
Every year, people are killed and injured when they are trespassing or vandalising
on the railway. Fences are not the only way that we try to prevent this
happening. We also encourage native thorny shrubs to grow next to the
railway tracks (because they are so difficult to climb through), run
community projects and operate two websites - No Messin’! for young people and Trackoff for teachers & parents.
What to do if you have a problem caused by the railway or have more questions
If you have a problem caused by fences or any other part of the
railway or if you simply want more information, please contact the National Helpline on 08457 11 41 41.