Youngsters warned over railway lines

POLICE are warning youngsters about the dangers of playing next to railway lines ahead of the electrification of a new £300 million route between Airdrie and Bathgate.

The British Transport Police (BTP) said it would not tolerate any crime on the new route, which is due open in December and will be used by trains travelling between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Chief Superintendent Ellie Bird, area commander of the BTP in Scotland, said: "Overhead power lines are now live and touching them or even getting too close could be fatal.

"During the school holidays we unfortunately see an increase in offences on the rail network.

"We are hoping that by targeting hot spot areas and through the education work we have already done, we will deter youngsters away from the railway."