MINDLESS vandalism at a railway gate in Workington is ‘potentially putting lives in danger’ according to Network Rail, as one local resident warns of children regularly playing on the tracks.

A gate which provides access to staff at the line on Shore Road in Salterbeck has had its lock smashed off five times in recent weeks, with warning signs pulled down and youths witnessed 'playing on the tracks'.

Resident Martyn Shutt has reported the open gates to Network Rail four times over the last month and says he has had to ‘chase kids off playing on the tracks’ in recent weeks.

Mr Shutt fears that the situation may lead to someone being killed, with the tracks being on the busy Carlisle to Barrow train line and services passing through the area regularly.

He said: “It’s the fourth time in the last month they have left the access gate open to the main Workington to Whitehaven line on Shore Road.

“How no-one has been killed is beyond me.

“We've had to chase kids off playing on the tracks.

"And all they have done is remove the sign saying £1,000 fine for leaving the gate unlocked.”

We suspect people are stupidly crossing the tracks to get to the beach beyond. We can’t stress enough how dangerous this is

Network Rail has said that the gate is a target for ‘unacceptable vandalism’, with engineers having to make regular trips to secure the area over the last few weeks.

The rail provider has said they suspect people are using the path to get through to the beach, but ‘can’t stress enough’ how dangerous such behaviour could be.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We are dealing with unacceptable vandalism at this railway staff access point in Workington which is potentially putting lives in danger.

"The lock has been smashed off five times in recent weeks and warning signs pulled down and damaged.

"We are now sending one of our engineers there again to make the gate secure after this most recent incident has been brought to our attention.

“We suspect people are stupidly crossing the tracks to get to the beach beyond.

"We can’t stress enough how dangerous this is.

"Railway trespass is also illegal with punishment of up to a £1,000 fine. We’re working with the British Transport Police on how we can stop this access point for workers regularly being abused in this way.”