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Last Updated: Thursday, 10 July, 2003, 15:09 GMT 16:09 UK
Parents in summer safety warning
Parents are being urged to warn children about the dangers of playing near railway lines or electricity pylons during the summer holidays.

Both Translink, Northern Ireland's transport operator, and Northern Ireland Electricity issued appeals to the public on Thursday to be aware of where children were playing.

Trains travel at a top speed of 70 mph and can take up to half a mile to stop.

Translink's Seamus Scallon said parents needed to take responsibility for their children.

"I would ask parents of the children to really try and ensure that they stop them from coming anywhere near the railways," he said.

"We would appeal also to the youths to understand the risks. We would ask them really to stay away from the railway as it is not a playground."

Former assembly member Patricia Lewsley also urged parents to be aware of where their children were playing during the school holidays.

"Now that children are off school they are generally going out to play for longer and later into the evening as the nights are brighter," said the SDLP councillor.

"Children should be able to go out to play, to interact with friends, to get some fresh air and some exercise, but I urge parents to be aware of the safety issues that exist when allowing their kids to go out unsupervised."


WATCH AND LISTEN
BBC NI's Sharon Ferguson reports:
"Trains travel at a top speed of 70 mph and can take up to half a mile to stop."



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