Trespassing on the railways is potentially deadly but surprisingly easy.

In just a couple of hours in Wootton Bassett I found several serious weaknesses with Network Rail's security.

Within minutes I discovered a large gate that had been left wide open, probably by maintenance workers.

Never mind walking, you could have driven a car on to the tracks with ease.

In another area, just next to a road, an old fence that was no doubt intended to prevent people getting on the line was badly damaged, whether by wear and tear or vandalism.

I ducked under a wire and found what appeared to be a well-trodden path down to the tracks.

At another point, admittedly further out of town, the fencing seemed more decorative than useful.

And supports for a bridge over a road came with ready-made steps up to the tracks.

But the most glaringly obvious shortcoming I found was down by the canal a known hotspot for trespassers.

Network Rail recently spent thousands of pounds on brand new security fencing along one stretch of track and, believe me, no one is going to penetrate it in a hurry.

But, and this is one mighty but, a few hundred yards further up, in an area still easily accessible to walkers, the security fencing abruptly ends.

Instead of the high steel barrier is a traditional ramblers' style, next to a sign asking pedestrians to "stop, look and listen," before crossing the tracks.

Next to what is effectively an invitation to trespass is a sign, warning trespassers they face fines of up to £1,000.

One Wootton resident wondered why the stile could not be replaced with a footbridge.

Network Rail says it is unrealistic to expect every inch of track across the country to be surrounded by high security barriers.

But last year 275 people across the UK were killed trespassing on the railways and there is no question that more could be done to make them safer.