The Glenfinnan Viaduct has grown in popularity since appearing in the films
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Five kilometres of fencing are to be built alongside a Scottish railway line to prevent Harry Potter fanatics from trespassing on to the tracks to take photographs.
The Glenfinnan Viaduct is famed for its links to the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion, but it’s become synonymous with J.K. Rowling’s fictional wizarding world since it first appeared in the film Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in 2002. It has been drawing 500,000 visitors every year.
Now Network Rail, which oversees train infrastructure in the U.K., is spending a total of £500,000 ($875,000) on lineside barriers near the viaduct.
It will replace existing fencing designed to separate the tracks from public areas, and will be “sympathetic” to the dramatic West Highlands scenery.
According to The Scotsman newspaper, visitors to Glenfinnan have soared tenfold since the Harry Potter films were first released in the early 2000s.
But its growing popularity has coincided with fears of trespassing as eager fans try to snag the perfect shot of passing trains.
Hayley Simpson, the project manager for Network Rail, said: “The investment we are making in renewing the fencing in Glenfinnan will help secure the railway and keep the public safe as they enjoy the world-famous views of the viaduct and surrounding scenery.”
“The work will be delivered without disrupting train services and the fencing we will install will be sympathetic to the natural landscape through which the line runs and not affect people’s enjoyment of the many walking trails and the spectacular views,” Simpson added.
Trees and vegetation will be cleared to make way for the new boundary fencing, and the railway network operator said this should provide the public with better views of the viaduct.
Network Rail said the work will start later this month and take just under a year. It will not disrupt train services and will not alter the viaduct’s striking appearance.