Scaling new heights for a cheap thrill

Published on Monday 16 November 2009 09:05

A CRAZE for "urban exploration" is leading to people risking their lives by entering derelict buildings and even climbing the Forth Bridge to post pictures of themselves on the web.

The adrenalin seekers have targeted everything from old World War Two bunkers to the former McEwan's Brewery in Fountainbridge as they try to outdo each other.

Many of the results are posted on the 28 Days Later website, which takes its name from Danny Boyle's award-winning post-apocalyptic film set in a deserted London.

The website urges urban explorers to take nothing but photographs and be careful not to damage property or leave graffiti.

But police today took a dim view of the craze and warned that anyone entering an abandoned building could be risking serious injury as well as breaking the law.

In the most serious incidents, at least two different enthusiasts have scaled the 330ft Forth Bridge in the dead of night before posting their photos online.

Using the name "Siologen", one of the climbers describes meeting a security guard who told him it was "very easy to climb". They gained access via scaffolding erected as part of the painting and restoration programme.

He wrote: "I'd spent a good hour studying the timetables for North Queensferry station and found a 15-minute train-free gap around 10pm, climbed up, and took a leisurely saunter over to the cantilever tower.

"From there it was fairly simple. Keep an eye out for stray workers, locate the correct scaffold and up ya go, pal."

He then wrote: "Climbing the bridge was a real blast."

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Other photographs show two youths posing on top of the bridge, as well as views from the way up and looking out over the Forth.

In one picture, workers are visible in the distance sandblasting the bridge. The pair also describe hiding in a signal hut as a train goes by.

Rail chiefs hit at their "gross stupidity", saying they could be killed. They say anyone caught would be prosecuted for trespassing.

A Network Rail spokesman said there was a danger not only from passing trains, but high winds which make it easy to fall off.

He said: "Trespassing on the railway is a serious matter and all too often it can have deadly consequences for those involved. The scaffolding and plastic casings on the Forth Bridge are not climbing frames but essential to the safety of the men working on restoration of the structure. To have the bridge misused and potentially damaged in this way is gross stupidity.

"This is an illegal activity, and people should have the common sense not to do this."

He said there were people working on the bridge 24 hours a day, seven days a week, making it difficult to escape notice.

He added: "There are 200 people on the day shift, as well as people at night carrying out routine maintenance. There is always a human presence.

"If anyone is caught, they will be prosecuted."

Other targets for the explorers include derelict buildings like the Odeon cinema on South Clerk Street and a 16-storey derelict tower block in Sighthill. One photograph shows a group enjoying lunch on the roof of the former McEwan's Brewery.

They also describe entering a disused grain store, standing in the bar and in a control room.

The report reads: "Awesome from the heights to the depths, as good as industrial zone crystal maze but stuffed full with tasty goodness."

Another report describes exploring the B-listed former Odeon.

The writer describes exploring the main hall, and looking behind the huge screen. There is also a picture of him, wearing camouflage clothes, on a spiral staircase.

The same user describes an expedition into the disused Woodcroft Telephone Exchange, on Pitsligo Road, Morningside.

Each expedition is carefully prepared. A checklist of items to take includes torches, a screwdriver, a builder's hard hat and a medical kit, as well as a camera. They also suggest trying to blend in with workmen on sites by wearing a high-visibility jacket.

One report of breaking into the Lauriston United Presbyterian Church advises bringing a mask, due to the "dead pigeons and other unsavoury things".

They do not only break into derelict buildings. One user described entering the basement of the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, and managing to gain access to a disused railway tunnel beneath the site.

Another user explored underground tunnels on Inchgarvie Island in the Forth.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said it was difficult to find figures on the number of incidents in the force area, but warned: "A number of these properties can present a significant safety risk to anyone there without proper authorisation and failure to adhere to warnings asking the public to keep out could result in serious injury.

"Anyone who witnesses any illegal entry to a business or residential premises should contact police immediately."