Great Western Coffee Shop

Ball net installed by Totnes railway line

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l-r Tim Pollard, South Hams parks team, Liz Heading, Network Rail, and Keith Rennells, South Hams parks team

A new six-metre high net has been installed to stop footballs being kicked onto the railway line at Totnes. The netting sits on top of the existing three-metre fencing surrounding the multi-use games area at Borough Park in the town.

The area is popular with teenagers enjoying a kick-about but there had been worrying reports of youngsters trespassing on the railway line to retrieve lost footballs. South Hams District Council, Network Rail and First Great Western worked together to install the netting. Network Rail and First Great Western contributed ^2,500 each towards the cost of the netting with the council providing additional funds and staff time.

Cllr Hillary Bastone said: ^We hope the new netting will provide that extra height needed to prevent footballs being ^hoofed^ out of the games area, over the road and onto the track. Hopefully, the youngsters will appreciate the netting and do their best to keep their footballs in the games area.^

Network Rail^s community safety manager Liz Heading said: ^Our aim is to drive young people away from risking their lives by playing or trespassing onto the railway. By supporting the community in this scheme, we are stepping up deterrence to protect their lives whilst at the same time continuing to provide them with the opportunity to take part in positive activities.^