‘Is this a late April Fools joke as it’s not funny?’- Readers reaction to the cancellation of the Flying Scotsman’s trip from Ely to Norwich

The Flying Scotsman steams through Goathland Station made famous in the Heartbeat TV series on its first day on the North Yorks Moors Railway. Photo: John Giles/PA Wire

After we reported the story, a host of train fans wrote on the EDP's Facebook page to express their disappointment and anger that the historic train would no longer be coming to the region.

The trip was called off, amid fears of a repeat of the scenes from February this year, when about 60 people endangered their lives by getting close to the tracks as the engine steamed through St Neots, in Cambridgeshire.

Tickets for the trip were sold out with people paying £180 for a chance to ride the train. They will now be refunded.

Many readers spoke about their anger of how the much publicised event has been ruined by health and safety concerns.

Scott King said: 'This is the most pathetic thing I've ever heard. Health and safety rules in this country spoil everything.

Sue Sadiwskyj added: 'That is absolutely ridiculous! Why did they bother to restore it if all it will do is sit in a shed at the Railway Museum?

Johny said that people should be allowed to make their own risk assessment when it comes to their own lives.

Health and safety is here to stay and people are no longer allowed to do their own risk assessment,' he said. If a person is going to put themselves in the path of an oncoming train, it will be a deliberate action motivated by their own personal choice, something that no health and safety official can prevent, be it the Flying Scotsman or any other train.'

Others blamed the few people who got too close to the track in February for spoiling the occasion for other people.

Pippa Henry said: 'As always the enjoyment of many has been spoiled by the few selfish, stupid idiots causing danger not only to themselves but the train itself.'

Keithe Saunders agreed. He said: 'What a load of idiots did the last time, where not only were the stupidity of people were near the one quite a few were actually on it and most of these were not normal train spotters either, they were mostly ordinary members of the public completely unaware of the dangers they put themselves in.'

Peter Balcombe added: 'Some of the idiots were clearly visible and no doubt recognisable. They should be punished not only with fines but also pursued in the civil courts to make a significant contribution to offsetting the costs and disappointment their behaviour has incurred.'

And some people were just left very disappointed about losing the chance to see the Flying Scotsman in our region.

Chris Johnson said: 'Is this a late April fools joke as it's not funny. I was really looking forward to seeing this beauty come into Norwich.

Patricia Goose added: 'Why do we get left out in our area? I am sure this happens in other areas so surely the organisers know where these people were and get staff to keep them back from the tracks.'

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