Alcohol will not be banned on UK trains

Rumours regarding a possible alcohol ban on British trains have been quashed after a safety regulator confirmed that booze on trains would not be prohibited.

UK commuters will not be face an alcohol ban on board British trains

The Rail Safety Standards Board (RSSB) told the Independent that buying or consuming alcohol on trains would not be forbidden and that speculations were “totally wrong”.

Recent reports have suggested that “pre-loading” revellers would be banned from consuming alcohol while they travel due to the number of alcohol-related deaths that have occurred on the rail network.

In an effort to reduce crime, London mayor Boris Johnson implemented a similar measure on the London Underground and buses in 2008.

Out of 17 deaths in 2014 including passengers, staff and members of the public – excluding suicides and trespass – just two were alcohol-related.

A report by RSSB was used to support the potential ban, but the firm said that any mention of a ban was only in relation to existing laws, such as for football matches when a “dry train” can be enforced.

A spokesman told the news site agreements on how to handle intoxicated passengers would only be made under existing legislation.

The consumption of alcohol has been allowed on trains for 180 years.