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===A hypothesis=== | ===A hypothesis=== | ||
The [[JC]] is blessed with enthusiastic correspondents. Not many, to be true, but | The [[JC]] is blessed with enthusiastic correspondents. Not many, to be true, but the ones we have are vigorous. Mr. Johnson, of Dundee, one such a fellow, writes in to point out that Network Rail frequently fulminates about balloons. Especially helium ones, which cause “dozens of train delays for passengers across Britain each year”<ref>Well, their own [https://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/float-away-helium-party-balloon-delays-trains-to-liverpool internal media relations team] does: It does not seem to have been picked up in the national dailies. </ref> | ||
“While Helium-filled balloons are fun, they pose a real safety and performance risk to the railway,” said Phil James, Network Rail's North West route director. “Our advice is ''not let them loose outside, especially if you’re near the railway''.” | “While Helium-filled balloons are fun, they pose a real safety and performance risk to the railway,” said Phil James, Network Rail's North West route director. “Our advice is ''not let them loose outside, especially if you’re near the railway''.”<ref>Emphasis added.<ref> | ||
But a couple of observations here. | |||
First, we imagine good old rubber balloons are harmless, inside or out. They deserve none of opprobrium Network Rail heaps on metallic ones. To our eye, the one in the illustration, looks like a normal old balloon and not a helium one. Which seems a bit mean. | |||
Secondly, we wonder whether Network rail have properly thought this through. Either they want balloons kept ''inside'', and ''not'' taken outside — per their press release — or they want them kept ''outside'' and not brought ''in'' — per the sign. Now, if one arrives with one’s balloon, to be confronted with the news that you cannot take it inside with you, what are you expected to do? Is not the natural response to let it go outside, QED about as near to the railway as a balloon can possibly be? | |||
{{sa}} | {{sa}} | ||
*[[Signs]] | *[[Signs]] | ||
{[ref}} | {[ref}} |