There were delays on the East Midlands Railway from Nottingham to London St Pancras on Thursday (August 28) after reports of people hanging St George’s flags.
Railway electrification expert Noel Dolphin posted on social media that attempts to fly the flags meant speed restrictions were imposed on the service he was travelling on.
After hearing the onboard announcement, he wrote: “I do not want to jump into the flag debate, but my train is delayed due to ‘people being lowered over bridge parapets to attach flags’.”
Parapets are fitted to the side of bridges to prevent people falling accidentally.
Mr Dolphin described the reason for the delay as “bonkers” considering the dangers posed by overhead electric wires.
He added that he hoped the train’s toilets were “working for once” if he was to be “trapped for a while”.
The service came to a stop on the approach to Market Harborough station, Leicestershire.
It subsequently continued the journey with a delay of up to 12 minutes, but was just four minutes behind schedule when it arrived in the capital.
Network Rail carried out an investigation after receiving a report of trespassers.
A spokesperson for the rail company said: “People are reminded that trespassing on the railway and placing objects on or near the railway infrastructure not only endangers lives but can also cause significant disruption to train services.
“Safety is our top priority, and we urge everyone to stay clear of the railway for their own safety and that of others.”
St George and Union flags have been hung from lampposts and other public places in several locations in England in recent weeks.
There have been rows over the motivation of St George’s and Union flags being raised across England, as some argue it is just a sign of patriotism, while others fear its intention is to cause more of a divide amid anti-migrant and far-right protests.
Several local authorities have removed flags from street infrastructure, citing road safety fears.
A spokesperson for Sir Keir Starmer said he “absolutely” is in favour of people who put up English flags.
The government has also published a guide online saying that flags are “a very British way of expressing joy and pride” and that it wants to “see more flags flown, particularly the Union Flag.”
