HOMEOWNERS living beside railway lines have been urged to tie down their trampolines and other garden furniture to prevent tracks being blocked by household debris during winter storms.
Network Rail said the problem of such objects being blown onto lines was becoming increasing common, especially during the storms which battered Scotland last December and January.
Other debris included garden sheds and sections of roofs.
The firm and train operator ScotRail have launched an awareness campaign to urge residents to secure or remove such items before more bad weather strikes.
David Simpson, Network Rail route managing director for Scotland, said: “Objects blown onto the railway from private homes are becoming an increasingly common problem – especially last winter when Scotland was battered by hurricane force winds.
“We’re asking those who live near the railway to consider what they can do to secure their property and help reduce the amount of debris being blown onto the lines.”
He said Network Rail was itself removing dead or dangerous trees which could be blown onto the lines in high winds.