Alcohol banned on UK train line

British Transport Police have temporarily banned the sale of alcohol on certain trains operating in the Tyne and Teesside area of northern England.

Police issued the order on all Grand Central line trains travelling between Sunderland, Hartlepool and York after a “noticeable increase” in complaints concerning “alcohol-related antisocial behaviour”.

The ban was brought in this weekend on select trains that were most likely to be ferrying football fans to or from matches in York and to and from the races in Sunderland.

Inspector Richard Price told the Sunderland Echo that trains were not, “extensions of bars and clubs; they are used by everyone including families, young people and the elderly. Other passengers do not want to travel and be subjected to the drunk, intoxicated and often intimidating behaviour of others under the influence of alcohol.

“Excess alcohol consumption is a well-known precursor to antisocial behaviour and allowing extremely drunk people to travel is a recipe for disaster. We will not allow them to travel and they will be asked to leave the station and travel by other means.”

How long the ban will be enforced for was not revealed. The banning of alcohol across the UK rail network has been a pervasive rumour for a number of years but has been categorically dismissed by the Rail Safety Standards Board. However, local authorities can issue select bans on alcohol on public transport in the interests of safety. This usually revolve around sporting events or festivals where large numbers of people are expected to be using the system.