POLICE have vowed to crack down on a traditional ‘mass trespass’ over a South Lakeland railway viaduct, which has been branded both ‘dangerous and illegal’.

It is estimated that up to 800 people walk across Arnside Viaduct on Christmas Day and Boxing Day each year – the only days passenger trains do not run on the Furness Line – to enjoy the stunning views of Morecambe Bay.

But Network Rail, which owns the structure, says there is a real risk of people tripping on the uneven surface and hurting themselves, and that engineering trains might use the line on those days.

And now British Transport Police are warning walkers that they face prosecution if they continue with the annual pilgrimage.

But local people, who say they have been walking on the viaduct for decades without being stopped, say they have never heard of any accidents or trains running on those days and that the dangers are being exagerated.

Keith Lumley, of Net-work Rail, stressed there was no public right of way across the 481-metres-long viaduct.

“Anyone crossing is com-mitting a criminal offence,” he said. “It is dangerous - and we intend to try to prevent it from happening this Christmas.

“People think there are no trains, signal boxes are closed and it is safe, but there may be engineering trains running.

“The viaduct is dang-erous under foot. There is no proper walkway and there are lots of things people could trip up on. It is full of slips, trips and hazards.”

He said walkers had been seen with children near the edge of the viaduct and if they tripped they could easily fall through the rail into the River below.

“It’s something we should have tackled a long time ago. We have turned a blind eye to it in the past but now we have become aware of the numbers of people involved we cannot allow it to go on.”

Arnside Coastguard Nigel Capstick said a fall from the 6.5-metre high bridge would be life-threatening.

But Ken Johnson, of the Arnside Ramblers, said the walk was a treasured Christmas tradition and it would be a terrible shame if it stopped.

“Hundreds of people go across and it’s a really nice thing to do on Christmas Day, I have never heard of any accidents and if I had young children I would take them. There are some dangers but if people are careful I think it’s perfectly all right.”

Arnside Parish Council chairman Dave Willacy said the walk had been happening at Christmas for around 30 years .

He said:. “We will support the transport police but I think they are making more out of it than is needed. The chance of a train running there on Christmas Day is one in a million and I can’t recall it ever happening.”

To access the viaduct people must walk off station platforms at Arnside and Grange-over-Sands.

Anyone caught trespas-sing faces a fine of up to £1,000. Glyn Hellam, of British Transport Police, said it was likely there would be police in Arnside on Christmas Day.

“We will be seeking to prosecute anyone who does trespass on the lines and the viaduct,” he said. “We do not want to criminalise people so we want them to use their common sense.”

Network Rail area gen-eral manager Stuart Middleton said: “We have lots of anecdotal evidence for it being a right of way but no proof. If anyone can point us to legislation that establishes a right of way, we will gladly look at it.”

Network Rail will carry out repair works on the viaduct next year and will leave space for a walkway if the £3 million funding required can be found.

Coun Stewart said: “This row highlights the need for a footbridge.

"I will carry out a survey to see if residents support the idea.”