Rail users told to leave their booze at home

Jun 25 2009 by Paul Mannion, Chester Chronicle

TRAVELLERS using trains to visit a host of summer events are being told to leave their booze at home.

Passengers intending to use the railway to visit the Orange Lodge March in Liverpool, the Wirral Show in Wallasey and Chester Races are being asked to help make the trains a booze free place.

Chief Inspector Neil Moffatt, who is leading the planning for British Transport Police (BTP) for the events, said: “We want people to be able to enjoy the events, but we will do all that we can to keep passengers and rail staff safe.

“There is no doubt that alcohol is a contributing factor to many violent and anti-social incidents we deal with and, in view of this, we have decided to make all trains in Merseyside booze free.

“We have liaised closely with the train operating companies and Merseyside Police and all agencies will be working during the weekend to enforce the dry train policy.

“We accept that many people will have consumed drink during the day, but we will not allow anyone carrying alcohol to board a train. The choice is simple, surrender your booze or miss the train.”

Traditionally as many as 25,000 people use the railway to travel to the three events with attendees coming from all over the North West.

BTP will deploy officers at stations across Merseyside and the surrounding areas and will also have a uniformed presence on many of the trains travelling to and from the event locations.