VANDALS put lives at risk when they pushed large capping stones from a bridge onto the railway line at Colne.

One stone landed on the track but fortunately cracked open and the larger piece fell to the side, leaving fragments of rock between the lines.

Councillor Tim Ormrod said: "It's a tragedy waiting to happen."

Coun Ormrod predicted the vandalism last autumn after workmen repairing Wackersall Bridge left the capping stones loose.

"Several workmen spent days working on the stone structure of this bridge and appeared to be re-laying the capping stones," he said. He wrote to Railtrack warning: "The capping stones appear to be more unsafe now than before they started, with the tie bars having been severed and gaps underneath and between them.

"It would not very difficult for a couple of young hooligans to push them off."

This week his prediction came true and it was only luck that stopped a major accident.

"On Tuesday night the stones on one side of the bridge were pushed off," said Coun Ormrod. "One of them dropped right next to the line."

Coun Ormrod is demanding an investigation into why his letter last year was not acted upon."

A Railtrack spokesman said: "We are aware of the situation and we're taking steps to rectify it. A rapid response team was sent out after Tuesday night's incident to clear up any immediate danger and report back on what needs to be done on a more permanent basis. That work will be carried out as soon as possible."

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