Railroad-Crossing Intruders: Frequency of Animal Infringements, Ranked
In the past year, British railways have seen an unexpected influx of visitors, with a total of 1,432 animal trespass incidents recorded. From the common to the extraordinary, the list of animal trespassers includes birds, cows, swans, hedgehogs, a donkey, a tortoise, and even bees.
Deer were the most numerous animal trespassers, with 349 recorded incidents. Sheep followed closely, with 177 incursions. Interestingly, humans were the most numerous animal trespassers, with a staggering 19,300 recorded incidents. This means that human beings were the type of trespassers causing the most incidents on British railways in the twelve months up to March 31, 2024.
James Fisher, the Digital Commissioning Editor of a popular platform, is always on the lookout for good stories. With a keen interest in motoring, travel, and things that upset him, he finds the surge in animal trespass incidents intriguing. If you're interested in this story, you should email James Fisher at his London-based office.
Network Rail, the company responsible for managing the rail infrastructure, has taken steps to address this issue. They have deployed a deer detection system on the East Coast Main line, which has successfully deterred 6,000 deer since its rollout in May 2023. However, they have not provided details on other methods they are using to mitigate animal trespass.
The issue of animal trespass is not just a modern phenomenon. Chalkstreams, unique and complex habitats that are home to a vast array of wildlife, have been forged millions of years ago. There are 200 chalkstreams in the world, and almost all of them are located in England. These freshwater habitats are the most biodiverse on the planet, hosting a wide range of flora and fauna.
As the railways and chalkstreams continue to coexist, Network Rail is also looking to mitigate future delays with a variety of methods, including AI technology. This promising development could lead to a safer and more efficient railway network, benefiting both humans and animals alike.
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